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About 70 to 80% of the coffee berries husk end up as agricultural waste after processing. Its neglect or improper utility can cause environmental pollution. The present study investigated the efficiency of Streptomyces, Trichoderma harzianum and the combination of both as bio-degradable agents of coffee husk which is regarded as agricultural waste. Identification of their efficiency is necessary to stimulate further research on their probable utility in converting huge mass of coffee husk to organic manure for soil amendment and higher crop productivity. Coffee husk from the coffee processing unit of the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN), Ibadan was the substrate for the isolates of Streptomyces, Trichoderma and Streptomyces/Trichoderma. Culturing was observed for 0, 15 and 30 days. The factorial in completely randomized design experiment had ten treatment combinations (control inclusive) of three replications. Significant (P < 0.001) variation existed among the three periodic days for all the generated biochemical products. The three organisms and the interaction between organisms and days differed significantly (P ≤ 0.05) for moisture content, dry matter content, phosphorus content and the pH. The production trend of most of the biochemical as aided by Streptomyces was both linear and quadratic for the three days. Caffeine, tannin, phosphorus, potassium and dry matter content were significantly highest in the control. Wricke ecovalence was least for the production of moisture content, phosphorus, dry matter, tannin and pH in the treatment which combines the two organisms. For the production of biochemical from the incubated substrate, the nine treatments significantly differed from the control denoting that microorganisms are needed in organic matter decomposition process.

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Fusarium verticillioides is a major seed borne fungal pathogen of maize causing rots and seedling blight, and secretion of toxigenic compounds in grains. This study aimed at reducing the seedling blight and mycotoxin contamination level of maize caused by F. verticillioides with environmentally friendly antagonistic microorganisms. One gram of ground mycelia of each of the species of Trichoderma, B. subtilis and P. fluorescens was suspended in 100, 200, 300 and 400ml of distilled water to determine the inoculum concentrations. Maize seeds were treated with inoculum and planted at least 2 seeds per pot in replicates of 3 pots. Two grams of ground mycelial mat of the pathogen was added (at planting) per ten (10) kilogram of sterile soil. Germination percentage of these seeds was taken on the 14, 21, and 28 days after planting. Observations were on incidence and severity of the disease, from germination period till harvest. T. pseudokoningii at its C3 gave the best germination percentage, and P. fluorescens inoculum at C2 was the best for the control of the pathogen, which is comparatively effective as Benomyl against F. verticillioides. The use of ecofriendly control alternative like T. pseudokoningii and P.fluorescens should be used to in place Benomyl; it has no residual effect on the environment.

Pests and diseases are among the major factors limiting plant growth and yields. Pests are known vectors of pathogens including viruses. Proper management of plant pests is an indirect means of controlling viral diseases in plants. This study aimed at comparing the potential of neem extract and a synthetic insecticide (lambda cyhalothrin) for the management of aphids and Cowpea aphid-borne mosaic virus (CABMV) in five different cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) genotypes and to determine the residual effects of the insecticide in the cowpea grains. The experimental field was laid out in randomized complete block design with three replicates. Treatments included; spraying of cowpea plots with aqueous neem extract and lambda cyhalothrin (LC) twice at foliage stage, once at flowering and podding stages. Control plots were left unsprayed. Data were obtained on growth and yields of cowpea genotypes as well as the pest and virus disease traits. Results of the Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) revealed that variations attributable to genotypes were significant (p ≤ 0.01) for cowpea yields and virus disease traits. Treatments applied influenced the occurrence of pests and virus diseases. Neem extract reduced aphid infestations and virus diseases as much as the insecticide. Ife BPC accumulated a very high level of LC (1.14 ppm) in its grain when compared with the maximum residue level (MRL) for lambda cyalothrin in cowpea seeds. The study concludes that the use of eco-friendly bio-pesticide such as neem aqueous extract is effective for the management of aphids and aphid-borne virus in cowpea fields. Keywords: Aphids; aqueous extract; cowpea; neem; pesticide; virus