No abstract

Soil biota (the living organisms in soil) plays an important role in soil development and soil formation. They are the most important component of soil organic matter decomposition and behave efficiently in the development and formation of soil structure and soil aggregate. Their biodiversity provides many functional services to soil and soil components. They help in dissolving verities of plant and animal materials, which could left as decayed organic matter at the surface soil. Understanding the vital role of soil organisms would undoubtedly helps to increase food production and reduces poverty, hunger and malnutrition. Soil biota and biodiversity research in sub-Saharan Africa would play an important role in sustaining food security, environmental health, water quality and forest regeneration. This paper, briefly highlighted some of the biological functions of soil biota and suggests that proper understandings of biota and their biodiversity in soil environment would provide ways to get better understanding of soil health, soil function, soil quality and soil fertility under sustainable soil management activities in agricultural production.

Bioaccumulation of seven heavy metals (Cr, Cd, Fe, Ni, Mn, Pb and Zn) in  Amaranthus leaf cultivated in Katsina state Nigeria were measured using atomic absorption spectrometer. The health risks to the local inhabitants from the consumption of the Amaranthus leaf were evaluated based on the Target Hazard Quotient. The possibility of cancer risks in the Amaranthus (L.) leaf through the intake of carcinogenic heavy metals was estimated using the Incremental Lifetime Cancer Risk. The target hazard quotient was (THQ)>1, indicating that the Amaranthus leaf cultivated may pose a non-carcinogenic risk for all the studied metals. Hazard index (HI) was low. The incremental cancer risk (ILCR) for Cd  violated the threshold risk limit (>10−4) and ILCR for Pb reached the moderate risk limit (>10−3) in all the studied samples in adults, While in children ILCR for both Pb in samples from Dabai, Daura, Funtua, Matazu and Zango and Cd for all samples have reached the moderate risk limit (>10−3), while the ILCR for Pb in samples from Birchi, Dutsinma, Kafur, Katsina and Malunfashi are beyond the moderate risk level (>10−2). The study suggests that consumption of Amaranthus leaf cultivated in Katsina may contribute to the population cancer burden.

Aims: This study was aimed at screening of phytochemicals and evaluation of antimicrobial activity of stem bark of Anogeissus leiocarpus Study Design: Stem bark of Anogeissus leiocapus was extracted using solvent extraction method; with ethanol, n-hexane, chloroform, ethylacetate and water soluble extracts. Each extract was screened for phytochemicals and tested for sensitivity against E. coli and Shigella dysenteriae.

Micro-, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) face numerous obstacles, such as a lack of funding, which hinder their growth and expansion. They must have access to long-term funding to improve and modernise their operations competitively. This study aims to incorporate Shariah-compliant crowd funding among MSMEs in Borno state of Nigeria. It applies partial least squares  structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) on a sample of 341 MSMEs and recommends the need to educate and enlighten them about the benefits of Islamic crowdfunding. The study also recommends the need to produce guidelines that will help in developing a legal and regulatory framework for the incorporation of crowdfunding into corporate financing structures. Finally, it is recommended that religious leaders at various levels organise educational programmes on the importance of Shariah-compliant crowdfunding.