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EVALUATION OF TILLAGE METHODS AND POTASSIUM EFFECT ON SOIL PROPERTIES AND GROWTH OF LESSER YAM

Essien, O. A.; Udoh, O. E.; Umoh, F. O. &Ntuen, E.S.

Department of Soil Science

AkwaIbom State University, MkpatEnin, Nigeria.

Email: otobongessien19@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

The study was conducted to assess tillage methods and potassium effect on soil properties and yam yield on soils of southeastern Nigeria. A field experiment was set out at the Teaching and Research Farm of AkwaIbom State University, ObioAkpa in 2019. A 2×4 factorial experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD). Tillage methods used were flat and mound, which constituted the main plots while the four (4) rate of muriate potash (0 kg ha-1, 200 kg ha-1, 400 kg ha-1, and 600 kg ha-1)occupied the sub plots. Tillage was done in the early planting season and yam tubers weighed 300g were planted. The initial and post-harvest soil samples were collected, processed and analyzed for soil physical and chemical properties. The result revealed that tillage methods improved soil properties significantly (p<0.05). Flat tillage improved soil organic matter content by 4.37% and base saturation percentage by 89.49% over other systems. The interaction between tillage methods and potassium rate application showed that flat tillage with application of 200 kg ha-1 gave the highest mean of soil organic matter content by 46.49% above other rates of combination with tillage systems. While mound tillage with potassium application rate of 400 kg ha-1 improved tube weight by 1.83kg above other rates of potassium application. Therefore, mound tillage of 400 kg ha-1 of potassium is recommended for cultivation of lesser yam in the study area.

Keywords: Tillage methods, Mound and Flat Tillage, Potassium Application Rate, Soil Properties and Yam Yield.


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VARIABILITY OF RICE YELLOW MOTTLE VIRUS IN A SET OF ISOLATES ORIGINATING FROM NORTH-CENTRAL NIGERIA

*Onwughalu, J. T.1, & Abo, M. E.1

1National Cereals Research Institute (NCRI), Badeggi, Niger State, Nigeria

2Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam Anambra State

*Email: tobechi44@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

The study was carried out to determine the resistance-breaking ability of six RYMV isolates collected from the north central Nigeria. Seven rice genotypes obtained from AfricaRice Center were used for the experiment in a Split-plot designwith three replications under screenhouse environment at Badeggi, Niger State. The result showed that the resistant alleles – rymv1-1 was circumvented by the six virus isolates, which also expressed the characteristic symptoms of RYMV at 42 Days after inoculation (DAI). The rymv1-4/rymv2 and rymv1-3 were showed to be moderately resistant with isolates from Mararaba-Obi and Gulu at 42 DAI respectively. The breakdown of resistance observed in the traditional resistant rice genotype (Gigante) appeared first as hypersensitivity reaction and later (≥42 DAI) as symptom expressed breakdown. Rymv1-5 found in Tog 5674 was not affected by the six virus isolates in terms of symptom expression; however, saps from earlier inoculated test plants (Tog 5674) were infective on the susceptible genotype (Bouake 189). Virus isolates from Obubu-Ofu and Makurdi, belonging to Ser1 reacted differently and circumvented the resistance in the conventional resistant check (Gigante) with obvious yellow mottle symptoms of RYMV at 42 DAI. The serological profile analysis of the virus isolates indicated they belonged to Serogroups 1 and 2 (Ser1 and Ser2). The present study has reported significant differences in the aggressiveness of isolates of same serogroup, and the overall RYMV isolates existing in north central Nigeria. The pathogenicity effect of the virus isolates onnumber of panicles and yield at harvest for susceptible test plant indicated 100 % yield loss with Gulu, Makurdi and Edozhigi isolates. Moreover, the four virus isolates from Mararaba-Obi, Edozhigi, Gulu and Obubu-Ofu contributed more than 60 % yield loss in Tog 5672, which only showed moderate resistance with Mararaba-obi and Gulu isolates. This study has reported the resistance gene/alleles holding in north-central Nigeria to include rymv1-5, rymv1-3, and rymv1-4+ rymv2.

Keywords: Rice yellow mottle virus; Resistance-breaking; isolates; Nigeria


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GAS LIFT: PRODUCING MARGINAL FIELDS USING HIGH GAS RESERVOIR PRESSURE AS CONTINUOUS GAS SOURCE

URCE

1Akpoturi Peters, 2Oby Ejelonu, 3Uti Mark & 3Umukoro George

1Department of Petroleum Engineering, Federal University of Petroleum Resoures, Effurun

2Department of Petroleum Engineering, PTI, Effurun, Delta State

3Department of Petroleum Engineering, Delta State University, Abraka    

ABSTRACT

Gas lift is one of the eight artificial lift technique applied to enhance the productions of oil wells (natural flowing or dead due to higher hydrostatic pressure over the reservoir pressure required to overcome it). The two major disadvantages of gas lift are; continuous source of high pressure gas and work over of, wells to install side pockets mandrel(s) for gas injection especially where gas lift was not initially planned before well completion. In Nigeria the above constrains are obvious especially when considering gas lifting of marginal, depleted fields and water logged wells. The paper presents a case where this class fields have been economically produced considering the presence of map gnus! High pressure gas reservoir as continuous gas source and use of wire line operated perforator and wire line retrievable pack off tubing assembles. This process could be used to sustain optimal production of similar fields to abandonment without necessarily leaving sustainable oil and gas reserves in place.


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ENGINEERING PRACTICES IN THE POST -PANDEMIC ERA: THE CHALLENGES, PROSPECT AND IMPACT REDUCTION.

Gana A. J; Raphael, O. D & Braimoh S. O.

Department of Civil Engineering, Landmark University Omu-Aran Kwara State

Department of Agricultural and Bio-system Engineering, Landmark University, Omu-Aran

Department Civil Engineering, Landmark University Omu-Aran, Kwara state

Email:  phildebo123@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

This study assessed engineering practices in the post pandemic Era and its impacts on engineering practices, Challenges during engineering practices, the post-Pandemic Era, prospect in the post-pandemic Era, and its impact reduction.

Key words: – Engineering practices, post-pandemic Era, challenges, prospect, and impact reduction.


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THEORETICAL EVALUATION OF STEPS APPROACHING ZERO EMISSION ON A DOUBLE THICK BARRIER OF A GAMMA PARTICLE

¹E. W. Likta, ²M. A. Abdul Azeez, ² F. W. Burari and ² O. W. Olasoji

¹ Department of Physics, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria

² Department of Physics, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, Nigeria

Email: emmalikta2014@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

The goal of this work is to obtain tunneling probability of a gamma particle. The application of Schrӧdinger’s equation in barrier penetration has been applied to gamma particle decay for light, medium and heavy nuclei. Gamma particle tunneling probability has been calculated analytically. Decay probability computed for each gamma particle emitting nucleus shows interesting variations. Log plot of calculated Decay constant plotted against atomic number (Z), mass number (A) and Energy for gamma particle emitting nucleus shows the variations interesting.   Half-life which is a function of decay probability plotted against gamma particle energy or against atomic number of gamma particle emitting nucleus shows the variations of decay probabilities. Log plot of Calculated Half-life plotted against atomic number (Z), mass number (A) and Energy for gamma particle emitting nucleus shows interesting variations of decay probabilities. Calculated half-lives compared with experimental half-lives for each gamma particle emitting nucleus shows results which are in good agreement.

Key word: Schrӧdinger’s equation, Emission, Half-life, Gamma and Decay constant.


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OIL POLLUTION ON SOIL ECOSYSTEM AND THE USE OF INDIGENOUS SOIL BACTERIA FOR BIO-REMEDIATION SYNTHESIS

1Okpara O.N and 2Akpoturi Peters

1Department of Biochemistry, Federal University Otuoke, Bayelsa State

2Department of Petroleum Engineering, Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun

ABSTRACT

A bioremediation strategy based on Azotobacter- seeding of oil polluted medium containing indigenous bacterial degraders was used to enhance the removal of the contaminating crude oil. In this study, biological nitrogen fixation was co- optimized with crude oil degradation. Increase in cell number for both Azotobacter (from 0.5 – 4.3 x 106 cells/ml) and the oil degrading bacteria from 0.3- 0.6 x 106 cells/ml) in 10 days indicated significant nitrogen fixation and oil degradation in the two bacteria respectively. The low percentage, remaining crude oil (20 – 30%) in the polluted mixed cultures within 14 days confirmed the bioremediation efficiency of the bacterium-Azotobacter consortium. In the field demonstration of this bioremediation and Biological nitrogen fixation processes in an oil polluted soil microcosm, increase in growth parameters of the planted sorghum cultivar was significant in the Azotobacter – seeded plots, relative to non-seeded portion. Hence this bioremediation strategy hold strong potential for a large-scale clean-up of oil-polluted degraded soils and other ecosystems in the natural environment.

Keywords: Soil, Crude oil, Pollution, fixation, bacteria, degraders, clean-up, ecosystem, bioremediation contamination and environment.


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APPRAISING THE IMPACT OF MEDIA PLANNING, MIXING AND APPLICATION IN PUBLIC RELATIONS AND ADVERTISINGPRACTICE

Joseph Obi Ngwokor; SafinaSanusi-Sabo &RoselineOkpala Department of Mass Communication, Federal Polytechnic, Nasarawa, Nasarawa State. Email: Joezinger2005@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

This paper examined media planning, mixing and application in Public Relations and Advertising practice. Today, society’s mode of communication has long moved from the traditional interpersonal communication to that of modern mass communication, where large heterogeneous and scattered audiences are the target. Organizations involved in the production of either goods or services also advertise as well as use public relations tools as a means of reaching their audiences. Core attention is focused on the various forms of media of advertising and public relations, the paper also reviewed concepts such as media, public relations and advertising. The information processing theory was used to properly anchor the paper. The paper concludes that media planning and media mixing are essential ingredients of the overall Integrated Marketing Communication (IMC). The paper recommends that organizations should engage more qualified PR and Ad practitioners, in order to bring innovative ideas on how the image of the organization and acceptability of their products or services could be boosted. Organizations should know that public relations is not a smoke screen to cover bad deeds, as a result of which they should not wait until there is a negative turning point before they do the right thing. Similarly, companies should not involve themselves in advertising bad products or services; rather, advertising should be used to promote marketability of their good products and(or) services.


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INFLUENCE OF RADIO AWARENESS MESSAGES ON KNOWLEDGE AND REACTIONS TO COVID-19 AMONG RESIDENTS OF MAKURDI METROPOLIS

AnwamTarnaha; Victor H. Unongu; Patience Achakpa-Ikyo & Samuel Dogo

Department of Mass Communication, University of Mkar, MkarGboko, Nigeria

Department of Mass Communication, Benue State University, Makurdi, Nigeria

Department of Mass Communication; Benue State University, Makurdi, Nigeria

Department of Mass Communication, Benue State University, Makurdi, Nigeria

Email: asakismart@gmail.com; vunongu@bsum.edu.ng; nikyo@bsum.edu.ng; ddsamdogo@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

This study assessed the influence of radio awareness messages on knowledge and reactions to covid-19 among residents of Makurdi metropolis. The study seeks to identify radio messages on COVID-19 available to residents of Makurdi metropolis, assess influence/knowledge of Makurdi residents on Covid-19 radio messages and ascertain the reactions of the residents to radio messages on Covid 19 in Makurdi metropolis. The study was anchored on cultivation theory as it is concerned with the audience influence on radio messages. It used survey research method and questionnaire was administered to 384 respondents who are residents of Makurdi metropolis. The Stratified sampling technique was used. The study found out that residents of Makurdi metropolis were influenced by radio messages on COVID-19 pandemic. This has enabled them to react positively to COVID-19 protocols in terms of behaviour change which is capable of stopping the spread of the virus in Makurdi metropolis. It concluded that residents of Makurdi were knowledgeable about the COVID-19 pandemic as a result of the radio health messages broadcast to them by radio stations in Makurdi metropolis. This has helped in creating the right awareness which has reduced the spread of the virus in the metropolis. The study therefore recommended among other things that other states should aggressively use radio messages on COVID-19 to help them reduce the spread of the virus, Those responsible for handling health issues in other states of the federation should adequately embrace radio to disseminate the messages in view of its advantages over other media of communication and the need to use local languages often to accommodate those who are less educated in English Language.

Keywords: COVID-19;Influence; Reactions; Radio; Health Awareness Messages; Residents


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A REVIEW OF THE CHALLENGES AND PROSPECTS OF THE MEDIA IN FOSTERING NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA: THE SOCIO- ETHICAL WAY FORWARD

OlubisiJiboku& Phillips Olubiyi

Department of Mass Communication, Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, Ogun State, Nigeria

Department of General Studies, Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, Ogun State, Nigeria

E-mail:olubisi.jiboku@federalpolyilaro.edu.ng &olubiyi.philips@federalpolyilaro.edu.ng

ABSTRACT

This paper aims to conduct a critical examination of journalism ethics in Nigeria, especially in light of the emergence of modern media technology. It begins by arguing for an ethically grounded practice in journalism, particularly in light of the media’s roles as representatives of social realities. A critical examination of professional standards in Nigerian journalism, as well as the complexities of emerging media technology were also examined. This paper utilized a textual, secondary or desk research approach which involves the use of existing data in a systematic way; to call attention to the need for contemporary media practitioners in Nigeriato pay more attention to politics and still see the importance of their reports in terms of positively influencing Nigeria’s national development and progress. The paper therefore argued that it is important for the media to behave more ethically in order to close the reputation gap that has already been established. The paper concluded that Nigerian journalists must be aware of emerging threats and hegemonic trends of new media technology.

Keywords:Corruption, Change, Development, Ethics, Media.


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TETFUND APPLICATIONS IN INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT AND UNIVERSITY LEADERSHIP IN RIVERS STATE

Nweke, Emmanuel Onyekachi, Amadi George Achinike &Wobo, Anthony Anayor,

Department of Educational Management

Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Rumuolumeni, Port Harcourt

 

ABSTRACT

The study delved into TETFUND Applications in Infrastructural Development and University Leadership in Rivers State. The study adopted a descriptive survey design. The descriptive design will seek the opinions of respondents who will serve as samples representatives of the study group on staff development. The population of the study comprised of 570 university leaders (HODs, Deans, Directors, Principal officers, Professors, Senior Lecturers), drawn from Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Port Harcourt, and Rivers State University. A sample size of 382, which makes up 20% of the population, was randomly drawn from the named institutions. The instrument for data collection in this study was a self-structured questionnaire titled TETFUND application in infrastructural development and University leadership in Rivers State (TIIDRU). Items on the questionnaire were structured on a four point rating scale ranging of Strongly Agree (SD) 4 points, Agree (A) 3 point, Disagree (D) 2 points and Strongly Disagree (SD) 1 point. The instrument was given to the researcher’s senior lecturers and professor in department of Educational Management of the University to make necessary correction and to validate the content of the instrument.The study adopted the Crumbach Alpha using SPSS version 23. The tested scores were correlated using the Crumbach Alpha at 0.9331> 0.71 which showed that the instrument was highly reliable. Mean and standard deviation was employed to analyse the research questions. The hypotheses were tested using the T-test at the .05 significance level. Out of the 382 copies of the questionnaires distributed, 370 or 97% were duly completed and returned.  The analysis was therefore based on the 370 returned questionnaires. The study found that there have been inadequate applications of TETFUND in university critical areas such as hostels, lecture halls, library, workshops and libraries and recommended for a refreshed trend of allowing redirecting and appropriating such funds to quality university infrastructure by university leaders.

Keywords: TETFUND applications, Infrastructural Development, University Leadership