The agricultural activities had tremendously benefitted from the application of pesticides. However, various objectionable practices among farmers had exposed the soils, plant and its community of organisms to different level of toxicity. Therefore, this study evaluated the effects of seed coating agents on germination rate, shoot length, leave numbers and population of rhizobial and phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) of beans plant (Vigna unguiculata). The mesocosm experiment was carried out in a greenhouse using a randomized block design with five replicates over the period of 5 weeks. The seed coating agents used were Imidadoprid-Thiram powder formulations and black powdery waste from dry-cell batteries. The seed coating agents were applied at the recommended rate value of 1.25 g/kg and at the rate that double the concentration of recommended field rate (2.50 g/kg). The application of Imidadoprid-Thiram at recommended rate and spent battery waste at the same rate did not have any significant effect (p > 0.05) on the germination of V. unguiculata as compared to the control. However, significant reductions (p < 0.05) in germination were observed in the seed coated with both coating agents at the rate above the recommendation value. Likewise, no significant effect (p > 0.05) of seed coating agents was observed on the average number of leaves of growing V. unguiculata seedling but significant reductions (p < 0.05) were observed in the shoot length of all the treated seedling as compared with control. Both Imidadoprid-Thiram and spent battery wastes were observed to have a significant negative (p < 0.05) effect on the average numbers of both rhizobia and PSB counts in the rhizosphere region of V. unguiculata, with effects more pronounced in higher doses.

This investigation was carried out to isolate, identify and screen for lipase producing fungal species present in the soil environment of Ilorin metropolis. Soil samples of approximately 200g each were collected randomly from eight different locations within the Ilorin metropolis for the investigation. Potato Dextrose Agar was used for the isolation of the fungal species by pour plate method. Six fungal species, Penicillium spp, Acremoniumspp, Mucors pp, Rhizopus stolonifer, Aspergillus nigerand Aspergillus flavuswere isolated and screened for their ability to produce lipases on tween-20 and phenol red agar. The results obtained for lipase production on tween-80 and phenol red after 5 days of incubation showed that four isolates were positive for lipase production which was indicated by diameter zone of clearance and visible precipitate of calcium monolaurate due to the deposition of calcium crystal. The result further revealed that Aspergillus niger had the highest lipase producing ability (having a diameter zone of clearance of 14 ± 0.05 mm), followed by Rhizopus stolonifer (having 10 ± 0.05 mm). Aspergillus flavus and Mucor sp had 6 ± 0.03 mm, 6± 0.01 mm respectively. Acremonium sp. and Penicillium sp. had no zone of clearance. These results demonstrate the presence of lipase producing fungi in the soil environment of Ilorin metropolis,Kwara State, and these can be harnessed locally for large scale production of the enzyme which is of value commercially in the production of leather, detergent,textiles and also as constituents of some special diets and pharmaceuticals.