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Heat, moisture and oxygen are important factors that has controlled seed germination, thus A 2 ×4 factorial greenhouse experiment was conducted to determine the influence of colour and thickness of nylon mulch on soil temperature, moisture, percent germination and selected growth indicators of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) seedlings in a completely randomized design (CRD), where the treatments; nylon colour (white and black) and thicknesses (0, 1.5, 3.0, and 4.5 mm) were replicated three times. The analysis of variance showed that the white nylon thickness had positive significant (P ≤ 0.05) influence on soil temperature, soil moisture, plant height and number of leaves, while black nylon thickness had positive significant (P ≤ 0.05) influence on soil moisture and plant height and a negative significant (P ≤ 0.01) influence on percent germination, it was also discovered that 1.5 mm thickness of the white nylon contributed significantly (p ≤ 0.05) to the parameters measured, therefore, white nylon of 1.5 mm thickness could be recommended as mulch material for cucumber production in a sandy clay soil.

Among the major factors that determine the success of cattle production in Nigeria is the availability of palatable weed species. Hence the need to conduct research on the availability of palatable, edible and non-edible weed species for cattle production in the selected two agro-ecological zones (Derived savannah and rainforest) of North center and Southwest in Nigeria becomes imperative. The study involved three parallel transects, each of 12.5 m x 12.5 m and ten evenly spaced different weed species sampled quadrats (1 m x1 m) were taken and replicated three times. The results showed that non-edible Hyptis suaveolens (94.2%) dominated the derived savannah and palatable Pennisetum species (36.8%) dominated the rainforest. The analysis of variance and New Duncan Multiple Range Tests (p = 0.05) revealed that there was a statistically significant (p \(\le\) 0.01) difference within the agro-ecological zones and availability of palatable, edible and non-edible weed species. However, in the derived savannah agro-ecological zone, the non-edible weed species had pronounced significant (p \(\le\) 0.01) availability, while in the rainforest agro-ecological zone, the palatable weeds had pronounced significant (p \(\le\) 0.01) availability. It could be concluded therefore, that if urgent steps are not taken, cattle will continue to move from the derived savannah (more non-edible weeds) to rainforest (more palatable weeds) and this will cause farmers-herders’ conflict. In addition, there would be more propagation of these non-edible weeds especially H. suaveolens as a result of cattle movement to the rainforest, an act that could cause more weeds imbalance in the rainforest.