DEPARMENT OF CROP SCIENCE

This study investigates the impact of spacing and fertilizer application on tigernut yield and nutrient content. The research findings reveal that spacing and fertilizer application significantly influence various yield attributes, including herbage weight, nut weight, and herbage yield. Furthermore, nutrient concentrations (N, P, K, Fe) in tigernuts vary significantly across different treatments, providing valuable insights into their nutritional content. Proximate composition analysis highlights differences in ether extract, ash content, protein content, moisture content, fiber content, carbohydrates, and dry matter. Additionally, nutrient uptake in tigernuts is influenced by spacing and fertilizer application. As a result, recommendations are made for optimizing crop management practices, tailoring nutrient management, exploring potential applications based on proximate composition, and encouraging further research in tigernut cultivation. These findings contribute to enhancing tigernut cultivation practices and broadening its potential applications in various industries.

Dioscorea alata L. and Dioscorea rotundata Poir are the most commonly grown species of yam (Dioscorea spp.), a staple crop in many tropical nations. Due to their scarcity, high price, and included vulnerability to pests and diseases, producing good-quality seed yams continues to be a significant issue. The objective of this study was to compare the growth and yield of seed yam tubers among minitubers derived from vine cuttings and yam minisett of different cultivars of yam. The improved cultivars used for the minitubers experiment included Akuabata, Vayam, Asiedu, Favourite and Super. The yam minisett trial included Abakiliki 1, Abakiliki 2, Benin Local, Igiowa 1 and Igiowa 2. Both experiments were separately laid out as Completely Randomized Block Design (CRBD) in three replicates. Vine cuttings were also obtained from the minitubers experiment to test the effect of different potting media (sawdust, rice hull, grass and corn cob) on growth and yield of minitubers under semi-autotrophic hydroponics. The vine cutting experiment was laid out as a completely randomized design in three replicates. Results indicated that seed yam tuber yield per stand varied from 267g in Super to 467g in Asiedu, while the yam minisett trial had 200g in Abakiliki1 and 717g Igiowa1. The multiplication ratio varied from 1:46 – 1:75 among the cultivars used in minitubers experiment, while yam minisett trial had 1:1.3 – 1:3.8. In the vine cutting experiment sawdust had 68.0 % survival and this was followed by rice hull, grass and corn cob. The used of minitubers derived from vine cuttings is viable option for production of quality seed yam of Dioscorea spp. Locally sourced potting media such as sawdust, rice hull and grass could be used in humidity chambers for production minitubers

Maize (Zea mays L.) is a key global staple, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa., but its productivity is often constrained by the high cost and documented environmental risks of conventional inorganic fertilizers. This study investigated the use of Panicum maximum leaf powder, a locally available organic nutrient source, application on the agronomic response of maize. The field trial was conducted at the Teaching and Research Farm, University of Benin, Benin City. The experiment utilized a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with five replications. The treatments consisted of four rates of P. maximum application: 0kg/ha, 60kg/ha, 120kg/ha and 180kg/ha. The variables measured included percentage emergence, percentage establishment, days to tasselling, plant height, number of ears, and stover yield. Results showed that the control exhibited significantly poorer establishment, delayed tasselling, shorter plants and reduced stover yield compared to all fertilized plots. The 60kg/ha rate was sufficient to maximize benefits for establishment and maturity, though the total number of ears was not significantly affected by treatment. It is concluded that P. maximum leaf powder is an effective, sustainable organic fertilizer for enhancing maize vegetative growth and stand establishment.

Fertilizer application influences plant health and susceptibility to pests. Optimal levels of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium foster robust plant growth, which can deter pests and mitigate yield losses. Therefore, this research aimed to examine the impact of fertilizer application on Fall armyworm (FAW) infestation in maize. The study was conducted during the late maize cropping season of 2023 at the teaching and research farm of the Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Benin. The experiment was fitted in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three treatments viz: no fertilizer (T1), inorganic fertilizer (T2), and organic fertilizer (T3), each replicated three times. Treatment plots measured 3x2m and spaced by 1m. The data were analysed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). The results revealed no significant differences (p > 0.05) in FAW abundance, damage, or severity among the treatments at 3WAS, 4WAS, 5WAS, 6WAS, and 7WAS. However, the highest mean abundance at 3WAS was recorded in the organic treatment (4.25), while at 4WAS, 5WAS, and 7WAS, the highest mean abundances were observed in the organic treatment (3.26, 4.93, and 3.95, respectively). In terms of damage, the highest mean damaged plants were recorded in the organic treatment at 3WAS (1.93) and 5WAS (3.30). Similarly, the highest mean severity was observed in the organic treatment at 3WAS (3.99), 5WAS (6.36), and 6WAS (5.85). In conclusion, both organic and inorganic fertilizers tested did not influence FAW larval abundance, damage, or severity on maize.

A study was carried out in the cropping season of 2025 at the screen house of the Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Benin, Ugbowo Campus, Benin City to evaluate the effect of topsoil and cattle dung potting mixture on the growth of pawpaw (Carica papaya Linn) seedlings. The trial involved five potting media (topsoil (TS), cattle dung (CD), TS+ CD 1:1, TS+ CD 1:2 And TS+ CD 2:1) laid out in a completely randomized design (CRD) and replicated three times. Data were collected on the physical and chemical properties, growth parameters (stem height, stem girth, number of leaves and leaf area) and dry matter indices (total dry weight, shoot dry weight, root dry weight and root:shoot ratio) of all potting media. Results of the study show that seedlings grown in mixtures of topsoil and cattle dung (TS + CD) consistently showed superior growth in terms of plant height and stem girth compared to those in topsoil and cattle dung alone. At 8 WAS, the TS + CD 1:1 potting medium produced seedlings with the largest leaf area, longest root length, highest shoot dry weight, root dry weight and total dry weight. Based on the superior performance in the key growth parameters, the use of a 1:1 mixture of topsoil to cattle dung is recommended for growing pawpaw seedlings in the nursery.

This study evaluated the effect of aqueous neem (Azadirachta indica) and garlic (Allium sativum) extracts on Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) infestation in maize (Zea mays) at the Teaching and Research Farm, Department of Crop Science, University of Benin. The experiment was conducted using a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) comprising four treatments: neem extract, garlic extract, neem + garlic extract, and a control, each replicated three times. Data were collected weekly on infestation incidence, larval abundance, and damage severity using the Davis and Williams (1992) visual rating scale. Results showed no significant differences (p > 0.05) among treatments across all sampling periods. However, slight numerical reductions in infestation and damage were observed in the neem and garlic treatments compared to the control. The limited effectiveness recorded may be attributed to environmental factors such as rainfall, temperature, and sunlight, which reduced the persistence of the extracts, as well as the
use of aqueous formulations that typically degrade quickly under field conditions. The combination of neem and garlic did not produce any synergistic effect. The study concludes that although neem and garlic extracts offer mild suppressive activity against Fall Armyworm, they are insufficient as stand-alone control options under field conditions. Their use is therefore recommended as part of an integrated pest management (IPM) strategy alongside cultural and biological control methods for more effective and sustainable Fall Armyworm management in maize production

Dioscorea alata L. and Dioscorea rotundata Poir remain the most widely cultivated yam
species in the tropics, where yam is a major food and income crop. However, the
availability of clean, affordable, and disease-free seed yam is still a major constraint to
production. This study evaluated the growth performance and seed tuber yield of
minitubers generated from vine cuttings and yam minisetts across several yam cultivars. For the minituber experiment, improved cultivarsAkuabata, Vayam, Asiedu, Favourite and Super were used, while the minisett trial included Abakaliki 1, Abakaliki 2, Benin Local, Igiowa 1 and Igiowa 2. Both experiments were arranged using a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. Vine cuttings taken from the minituber plants were also used to examine the influence of four locally available potting media (sawdust, rice hull, grass, and corn cob) on the establishment and yield of minitubers under semi-autotrophic hydroponic conditions, using a Completely
Randomized Design (CRD). Seed yam yield per plant ranged from 267 g in Super to 467g in Asiedu in the minituber experiment, while minisett yield ranged from 200 g in
Abakaliki 1 to 717 g in Igiowa 1. Multiplication ratios were substantially higher in the
minituber system (1:46–1:75) compared to the minisett method (1:1.3–1:3.8). In the vine- cutting experiment, sawdust produced the highest survival rate (68%), followed by rice hull, grass, and corn cob. Overall, the study demonstrates that minitubers produced from vine cuttings represent a promising and efficient approach for generating high-quality seed yam in Dioscorea spp. Furthermore, readily available potting materials455565T45R such as sawdust, rice hull, and grass can be effectively used in humidity chambers for minituber production.

This study investigated the shelf life and viability of Trichoderma harzianum formulated
with various carrier combinations to enhance its potential as a sustainable biocontrol
agent. Formulations were prepared using different ratios of corn cob and spent mushroom substrate (4:1 and 1:1) respectively, combined with clay and cassava starch. The viability of T. harzianum spores was monitored monthly over a five-month storage period under room temperature conditions (15–35 °C) by determining colony-forming units (CFU/g) on potato dextrose agar. The experiment was subjected to Completely Randomized Design (CRD) and data was analyzed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) at a 5% significance level. Results revealed that the media type had a highly significant effect (p < 0.001) on spore viability across all months, while concentration and substrate × concentration were non-significant. The formulation containing a 1:1 mixture of corn cob and spent mushroom substrate supplemented with clay and cassava starch consistently produced the highest CFU/g values throughout the storage period, indicating superior shelf stability. Conversely, formulations with higher corn cob ratios (4:1) showed reduced viability. Overall, the inclusion of starch improved moisture retention and nutrient availability, slowing the decline in spore viability over time. The study concludes that a balanced organic–inorganic matrix enriched with starch provides an optimal carrier system for maintaining the viability of T. harzianum during storage, thereby enhancing its suitability for large-scale biocontrol applications.

The proliferation of Urban Agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa is occurring due to the surging population, which has led to a demand for alternative crop cultivation methods. Consequently, there is a necessity to cultivate yams in containers as a means to enhance food security. Hence, a study was carried out to evaluate the effect of different combinations of garden soil and poultry manure potting media on the growth and yield of four cultivars of yam (Dioscorea spp.). The study was carried out in containers (cement bags) in a field plot in Benin City, Nigeria. The treatments included: (i) garden soil alone (1:0), (ii) one part garden soil and one part poultry manure (1:1), (iii) two parts garden soil and one part poultry manure (2:1), while four cultivars of yam including white yam (Ada Onitsha and Fakasa), water yam
and yellow yam were used. The experiment was a 3 × 4 factorial laid out as a Completely Randomized Design with three replicates. At nine weeks after planting, data was collected and recorded. At four months after planting harvest was done for only one cultivar (ada onitsha). The data collected was subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) to test the significance of the treatment means using Genstat Statistical Package. The results indicated that there were no significant differences observed in the growth characteristics of the different potting media. However, significant cultivar differences were observed in number of vines, leaf area, number of leaves, stem girth, and petiole length. The potting media treatments showed significant differences in tuber length, tuber girth, and tuber yield per bag with 2:1 garden soil and poultry manure producing the highest tuber yield per bag(1.47kg) while (1:1) and (1:0) produced (0.50kg) and (0.47kg) respectively. Therefore, the combination of garden soil and poultry manure with a ratio of 2:1 would be suitable for cultivating yam in containers.

The term ‘maize’ seems to be derived from the word ‘mahiz’ of Taino language of the Caribbean islands, which became ‘maiz’ in Spanish (Oxford dictionary 2015). Based on this common name, Linnaeus included the name as species in the botanical classification of Zea. Maize is also popularly known as ‘corn’ in English-speaking countries. In some countries, ‘corn’ means the ‘local staple’, while in some others it is used for any ‘cereal’. The ear of maize is unique among cereals, and morphologically similar wild progenitor of maize could not be found. Therefore, its evolution has been a great scientific challenge and of great interest for both biologists and archaeologists. Many hypotheses/theories have been proposed by different scientists to explain the origin of maize. Among them, (1) tripartite hypothesis, (2) catastrophic sexual transmutation theory, (3) Tripsacum-Zea diploperennis hypothesis, and, (4) teosinte hypothesis were debated and discussed in detail by different scientists.