Merit Research Journal of Agricultural Science and Soil Science

011-018

Authors: Hella J. P., Chilongo T., Mbwag A. M., Bokosi J., Kabambe V., Riches C. and Massawe C. L.

This paper presents a pathway followed by the Alectra research project group in Tanzania and Malawi breeding cowpea for Alectra resistance and for the market. The main objective of the project was to develop cowpea varieties which are resistant to parasitic weed Alectra vogelii and promote the same to small farmers in Malawi and Tanzania. The paper is based on-station and on-farm trial data collected at Ilonga, Bihawana, and Ismani research stations in Tanzania and at Bunda College in Malawi. On-farm data were collected from 2 Extension Planning Areas in central Malawi and 6 villages in Singida, Dodoma and Iringa regions. Lilongwe and Kasungu in Malawi and Dodoma, Iringa and Singida were the main areas where we collected consumers' preference data. The pathway shows that starting from 180 breeder lines, only 13 lines including B301, IT99K-7-21-2-2-1 IT99K-494-6 and IT99K-753-1 and turned out to be very promising lines against A. vogelii infestation. However after subjecting the same lines to various consumer/market preference indicators such as seed color and size, many lines were dropped hence could not be officially released. This study conclude that market based research has resulted in releasing highly demanded varieties that will stimulate production and increase income of small producers in the two countries. Keywords: Cowpea, consumer preference, market demand, and variety release.

006-010

Authors: Abdoulaye Demba N’diaye, Mohamed Ould Sid’ Ahmed Ould Kankou and Khalid Ibno Namr

In order to contribute modestly to the assessment of lead content in the effluent of the WWTP in the scope of Sebkha gardener, the samples were taken at the WWTP between October and December 2011. In addition to studying the evolution of lead, electrical conductivity, chlorides, sodium and chemical oxygen demand were studied with the statistical analysis methods were applied to the results obtained. The results show that lead levels recorded at the effluent of the WWTP ranging from 104.5 µg/L and 176.5 µg/L. The statistical analysis of results shows that lead is strong and positive correlation with electrical conductivity, chloride and sodium and positively moderately correlated and significant with the Chemical Oxygen Demand. Keywords: Lead, effluent, Aftout Es Sahli, Sebkha, Nouakchott, Mauritania.

001-005

Authors: Abua Moses and Eyo Edet

Soils around the quarry sites in Akamkpa Local Government Area of Cross River State - Nigeria were studied for physico-chemical parameters and heavy metal status. Samples were collected using soil auger at designated transects at the depths of 0-15cm and 15-30cm compositely. The soils are derived from acid crystalline rocks which are made up of granites and gneisses. They are characterized by coarse texture (mostly sand and loamy sand), strong acidity (PH range, 4.9 - 6.8), weakly-structured, medium organic carbon contents (0.42 - 3.21%), and low contents of exchangeable bases and available p contents (I5mgkg-1) in the proscribed transects the mean bulk density (1.49mgm-3) and its corresponding pore space (43.8%) suggests that the area is impacted by dense human activities occasioned by the quarry operations. Heavy metal status of the soils was within the threshold limits established for mineral soil environment. The soils may lack adsorptive capacity for pollutants based on the results of analysis. The level of organic carbon and total nitrogen cannot sustain intensive crop husbandry in the prescribed area. Thus, productivity of the soils could be improved via liming and application of organic/inorganic nutrients for sustainable cropping system in the ecological zone. Keywords: Assessment of soil, Terrain, Quarry, Physical-chemical Parameters, Heavy metals, ecological zone