Background/Aims In Nigeria, women's partners are often excluded from taking part in maternal healthcare, as a result of sociocultural norms. However, the involvement of male partners in maternal healthcare services has the potential to improve maternal health outcomes. This study examined factors associated with male involvement in maternal healthcare services in Ife Central, Osun State, Nigeria. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted, involving 265 men living in Ife Central who were married with at least one child, selected by multistage sampling. A structured questionnaire was used to assess men's knowledge of their expected roles in maternal healthcare, their perception of male involvement, and their current level of involvement in their spouse's healthcare. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were carried out to identify predictors of active male involvement in maternal healthcare, at a significance of P<0.05. Results Approximately half (55.6%) of the respondents had good knowledge of the expected role of men in maternal healthcare services and 76.6% had a positive perception of this role. Overall, less than half (47.6%) of the participants were actively involved in maternal healthcare services. The participants most frequently reported that men's involvement was influenced by their degree of knowledge (92.4%), job schedule (92.0%), and clinic waiting time (86.4%), among others. Age (odds ratio=2.33, P=0.038), educational status (odds ratio=2.42, P=0.004) religion (odds ratio=2.34, P=0.012), occupation (odds ratio=2.81, P<0.001) and level of knowledge (odds ratio=2.34, P=0.001) were found to be significantly associated with men's level of involvement in maternal healthcare services. However, only good level of knowledge (adjusted odds ratio=2.32, P=0.004) emerged as an independent predictor of men's level of involvement in maternal healthcare services. Conclusions The study concluded that men's involvement in maternal healthcare services was low, despite their positive perception towards it. Less than half of the participants had good knowledge regarding men's role in maternal healthcare, and this factor was identified as a significant predictor of level of involvement. Programmes and policies should aim to enhance men's knowledge of their role in maternal healthcare, and it may be necessary to restructure the healthcare delivery system to be more male friendly.

Field studies were conducted in 2006 and 2007 to investigate the reaction of 10 varieties of kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus) to natural infestation of Meloidogyne incognita. Ten weeks after planting, 10 randomly selected plants per variety were assessed for root galling. Data were also collected on plant height, stem girth, days to maturity, number of seeds and seed yield. Gall index and nematode reproduction factor varied significantly among the kenaf varieties. AU 64 recorded the tallest height of 2.4 and 2.3 m, respectively, in 2006 and 2007 cropping seasons followed by Ex-Funtua, Ifeken 100 and G 45 whereas the lowest height was recorded for Ifeken 400 and Cuba 108. Days to maturity ranged from 120 to 135 days. Based on gall index ratings, AU 64, Ex-Shika, Ex-Giwa, G45, and the local variety were susceptible to M. incognita. Tianung 1 and Cuba 108 were very susceptible, whereas Ifeken 100 and 400 were resistant. Based on reproduction factor, AU 64, Ex-Shika, Ex-Giwa, G 45, Ex-Funtua and the local variety supported greater nematode reproduction and were good hosts of root-knot nematodes. Tianung 1 and Cuba 108 were very susceptible while Ifeken 100 was a poor host of M. incognita.In den Jahren 2006 und 2007 wurde die Resistenz von 10 Sorten von Kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus; Ostindische Hanfrose, Gambohanf) gegenüber dem Wurzelgallennematoden Meloidogyne incognita im Feld überprüft. Zehn Wochen nach dem Pflanzen wurden 10 zufällig ausgewählte Pflanzen pro Sorte auf Wurzelgallen untersucht. Daneben wurden die Pflanzenhöhe, der Sprossumfang, die Zeit bis zur Vollreife, die Samenanzahl und der Samenertrag gemessen. Der Gallenindex und der Reproduktionsfaktor der Nematoden unterschieden sich deutlich zwischen den Kenafsorten. Die Sorte AU 64 erreichte mit 2,4 bzw. 2,3 m 2006 und 2007 die größte Höhe, gefolgt von den Sorten Ex-Funtua, Ifeken 100 und G 45, während die Sorten Ifeken 400 und Cuba 108 die geringsten Höhen aufwiesen. Die Zeit bis zur Vollreife variierte zwischen 120 und 135 Tagen. Anhand des Gallenindex wurden die Sorten AU 64, Ex-Shika, Ex-Giwa, G45 und eine lokale Sorte als anfällig gegenüber M. incognita bewertet. Die Sorten Tianung 1 und Cuba 108 waren hoch anfällig, während Ifeken 100 und 400 als resistent bewertet wurden. Anhand des Reproduktionsfaktors vermehrten sich die Nematoden an den Sorten AU 64, Ex-Shika, Ex-Giwa, G 45, Ex-Funtua und der lokalen Sorte schneller, weshalb sie als gute Nematodenwirte gelten können.

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A study was conducted in 1991 to determine the effect high soil temperatures would have on `Clemson Spineless' okra plants transplanted into field plots during 60 days of active soil solarization (solar heating of the soil using clear plastic during the summer period). Solarized plots were planted to a winter cover crop which served as an organic amendment, which was rototilled into the top 15 cm of the soil before solarizing. Okra transplants were planted on the outer edges of the plots one month after the solarization process commenced and drip irrigated. Three weeks (wk) after transplanting, a complete fertilizer at the rate of 200 parts per million was applied to the plots giving the following treatment combinations: solarized non-fertilized control (SNF), non-solarized non-fertilized control (NSNF), solar fertilized (SF). and non-solarized fertilized (NSF). Results showed that the increased soil temperature did not have any deleterious effect on the okra plants grown in SNF or SF plots. However, plants grown in SF plots suffered severe fertilizer bums which affected plant density and yield. This indicated a rapid breakdown of soil organic matter provided sufficient nutrients to sustain a late-season crop of okra. Plant height, marketable yield vegetative branching and income generated were greater in SNF compared to SF, NSF and NSNF plots, respectively.