DEPARTMENT OF PLANT BIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY

Home gardens, whether in rural or urban areas, are structurally complex and multifunctional, providing numerous benefits to ecosystems and local communities. This study was carried out to investigate the diversity, ethnobotanical significance, and socio-economic impact of home gardens in Ovia North East Local Government Area, Edo State, Nigeria. The research focused on three communities Ekosodin, Oluku and Ekiadolor, selected for their active gardening practices and
plant diversity. A total of fifteen (15) home gardens, five from each community, were purposively chosen based on species richness and community involvement. Data collection involved field observations, oral interviews, and structured questionnaires administered to gardeners and community elders. Focus group discussions were conducted to gather insights on plant types, gardening practices, and socio-economic benefits. A total of thirty-five (35) plant species were
identified across the communities, with Ekiadolor exhibiting the highest diversity (33 species), followed by Oluku (27 species) and Ekosodin (22 species). Key plant species such as Vernonia amygdalina, Dioscorea spp., Talinum triangulare, Ocimum gratissimum, Solanum lycopersicum and Capsicum annuum were prevalent, indicating the significance of home gardens for food security and traditional medicine. The study revealed that home gardens play a critical role in providing medicinal plants used to treat common ailments, enhancing household nutrition, and
serving as a source of income. Challenges such as pest infestations, poor soil fertility, and water scarcity were highlighted, with recommendations for integrated pest management. This study underscores the importance of home gardens in conserving biodiversity, promoting traditional health practices, and supporting sustainable livelihoods

Acute diarhoea is one of the major illness that cause death in children, despite clinical intervention and the use of oral rehydration therapy. Thus, there is need to discover other effective, affordable and accessible treatments for this disease. Therefore, this study was carried out to investigate the effects of citrus sisnensis peel on castor oil-induced diarhoea in mice

The mushroom Pleurotus tuber-regium formed tea formulation with some local herbs such as Moringa, Bitter leaf and Scent leaf. P. tuber-regium formed three (3) different combinations with each of the three (3) herbs. That is, the tea formulations were of nine (9) different ratio combinations, which are: MU/MO 5:45, MU/MO 10:40, MU/MO 20:30; MU/SL 5:45, MU/SL 10:40, MU/SL 10:40; MU/BL 5:45, MU/BL 10:40, MU/BL 20:30. The combinations were each made into infusions by adding water into a cup with the tea mixture. The infusions were given to fifty (50) participants to consume at different time and location. After consuming the tea, the participants then gave their responses based on two (2) categories, taste and acceptability. Generally, the responses from the participants were positive and encouraging, and a few not so, which can be tackled by organizing programs/seminars for creating public awareness about the health benefits of mushrooms, through individual and government involvement in mushroom commercialization, through the development of adaptable mushroom cultivation, among others. It is worthy of note that none of the participants had complaints of a significant side effects like stomach upset, dizziness and allergies. This shows that this tea formulation is safe for consumption and that it fits the description of an ideal component of a healthy dietary habit that can be used to promote health.

Germination is the process through which a seed begins to grow and develop into a new plant, driven by the embryo’s ability to restart its metabolic activities within the seed. Tetrapleura tetraptera, commonly known as Aridan fruit, is a medicinal plant found mainly in the lowland forests of tropical Africa, while Entandrophragma cylindricum, known as the Sapele tree, is a prized timber species that grows widely across the same region. Both trees serve many purposes as they are valuable sources of medicine for treating various ailments and are also used for firewood, charcoal, and timber production. This study investigated how different pre-treatment methods affect the germination of T. tetraptera and E. cylindricum seeds to find effective ways of overcoming seed dormancy and improving seedling production for reforestation and conservation. Seeds from both species were exposed to various scarification methods, including acid treatment with hydrochloric acid, dry heat, hot water, and mechanical rubbing with sandpaper, while untreated seeds served as a control. The treated seeds were planted in bags and observed for several days. However, none of the seeds germinated, suggesting that they are highly dormant and resistant to the applied treatments. The results from this study highlight the need for more advanced dormancy-breaking techniques to improve the propagation success and ensure the conservation of these forest trees, which are gradually declining due to deforestation and overexploitation.

Aspergillus flavus is a fungus known for posing significant health risks in humans and animals. This study investigates the epistatic effect of double mutations induced by sodium azide and potassium chlorate in A. flavus. The mutants were generated were generated in culture media containing the mutagens and their epistatic interactions were observed along with their nutrient
utilization and growth rates. The results of mutation resulted in significant changes in the growth rate and morphology of the mutants, compared to the wild type. The epistatic interactions between the mutations revealed both synergistic and antagonistic effects on various traits. These findings provide insights into the genetic mechanisms underlying aflatoxin production and
fungal development in A. flavus, with implications for developing novel strategies to control aflatoxin contamination.

A study on the effect of ampicillin on microalgae Chlorella vulgaris and Euglena viridis was carried out. The experiment was carried out for 14 days using concentration at 0mg/l (control), 10mg/l, 20mg/l, 40mg/l, 60mg/l, 80mg/l, 100mg/l of ampicillin, affected the growth of Chlorella vulgaris and Euglena viridis. Samples were analysed throughout the experiment for physiochemical parameters using standard methods. The result showed that the different concentration of ampicillin affect the growth of Chlorella vulgaris and Euglena viridis and was inhibited at 10mg/l, 20mg/l, and 40mg/l treatment. The pH value at the beginning of all the experiment for all the treatment were unstable and around 8.16 and 6.68 but increased gradually at the end of experiment across all treatment. There was significant difference in the growth of the microalgae to the ampicillin concentration

Light intensity is a critical environmental factor that profoundly influences plant architecture and development, often by modulating internal phytohormone levels. Specifically, the regulation of auxin biosynthesis and signaling is central to understanding how plants adapt their growth in varying light conditions. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of key auxin biosynthesis-related genes in Trichosanthes cucumerina plants cultivated under contrasting open field and shaded field conditions within a lowland rainforest environment. This research utilized three distinct data types, morphological, anatomical, and molecular. Morphological data, including vine length, number of leaves, stem circumference, were collected through direct field measurements throughout the growth period. Anatomical data were generated by preparing and microscopically examining cross-sections of stem and root tissues to assess cellular integrity and vascular bundle differentiation. Molecular data were generated via Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR) analysis, which provided relative gene expression levels for auxin biosynthesis genes (e.g., YUCCA and TAA1) from extracted plant RNA. Morphological and molecular data were subjected to appropriate statistical analysis (e.g., t-tests or 2⁻ΔΔCₜ) method, to determine significant differences between the two growth environments

Ecological study of seasonal distribution of weeds in oil palm plantation at Agbarha-Otor, Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria, was carried out during therainyand dry seasons of 2020. Quadrats measuring 10 m2 were laid at random and informationontheweed species were gathered and used to generate diversity indices as well as other ecological statistics. During the dry season the taxa ranged from 27 - 50, individual abundance (376–2821), Dominance_D (0.1819 – 0.4248), Simpson index (0.5752 – 0.962), Shannon Wiener idex(1.469 – 3.468), Evenness index (0.132 - 0.7635), Brillouin (1.437 – 3.268), Menhinickindex(0.7073 – 2.116), Margalef index (3.569 – 6.914), Equitability (0.4301 – 0.9278), Fisher_alpha(4.705 – 8.632), Berger-Parker (0.07979 – 0.6424) and Chao-1 was (27.38 – 50.5). In termsofmost abundant species, density, relative density and importance index value in dry seasonindecreasing order were Poaceae > Selaginellaceae > Arecaceae > Melastomataceae>Bromeliaceae > Asteraceae. Diverse families in decreasing order were Poaceae > Asteraceae>Fabaceae = Rubiaceae = Malvaceae > Amaranthaceae = Connaraceae > Acanthaceae=Cyperaceae = Euphorbiaceae = Polypodiaceae = Tiliaceae = Gentianaceae with 7, 6, 5, 5, 5, 3, 3, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2 and 2 species respectively. While in the rainy season taxa ranged from32- 57, individuals (312 – 2178), Dominance, Simpson, Shannon Weiner, Evenness, Brillouin, Menhinick, Margalef and Equitability indices were (0.04491 – 0.4904; 0.5096 – 0.9551; 1.488–3.454; 0.10390 – 586; 1.426 – 3.284; 0.7037 – 2.887; 4.061 – 8.706) respectively. Equitability(0.4182 – 0.866), Fisher_alpha (5.373 – 17.31), Berger-Parker (0.1197 – 0.6944) and Chao-1were(32 – 62.08) respectively. In terms of most abundant species, density, relative densityandabstractimportance value index in rainy season, six weed families namely Poaceae, Asteraceae, Fabaceae, Malvaceae, Rubiaceae and Connaraceae were predominant. Similarly, the most diverse families in decreasing order were Poaceae > Asteraceae, = Fabaceae, > Rubiaceae, =Malvacee, > Connaraceae = Amaranthaceae, > Acanthaceae = Cyperaceae = Euphorbiaceae=Gentianaceae = Polypodiaceae = Tiliaceae with 7, 6, 6, 5, 5, 3, 3, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2 and 2speciesrespectively.The knowledge of weed flora will enable us to know the appropriate methodtoeliminate them from our agricultural farms to reduce competition with our valuable crops

Contamination of soils due to spent engine oil is an important environmental issue affecting soil characteristics and plant growth. This study was aimed at evaluating the effects of spent engine oil on growth parameters of Saccharum spontaneum L. for potential use in phytoremediation of oil polluted environments. Spent engine oil from a motor service garage was prepared in five concentrations of 4, 8, 16, 32 and 64ml/Kg. Tillers of S. spontaneum were planted in top garden soil and allowed to stabilize for four weeks before treatments were added. A control experiment in four replicates was also set up. The control had a significantly higher number of tillers compared to the different concentration treatment groups. The higher concentrations of 16, 32 and 64ml/Kg of spent engine oil contaminated soil did not produce any tillers at all. Total aliphatic hydrocarbon content was lowest in the control and highest in the 64ml/Kg treatment. Total polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbon was highest in the 32ml/Kg treatment. Soil chemical parameters did not show a dose dependent response to increase in treatment with spent engine oil. This report demonstrated that lower concentrations of spent engine oil enhanced the number of leaves, plant height and leaf area of S. spontaneum. Results showed that S. spontaneum was tolerant to, and thrived at low concentrations of contamination with spent engine oil but declined in growth and development at high concentrations and for extended periods

A study on the effect of brewery effluent on two microalgae Thalassiosira sp. and Chaetoceros gracilis was carried out for fourteen (14) days. The experiment was done in triplicate using concentrations 0% (control), 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25% and 30% of brewery effluent. Growth responses were measured using a visible spectrophotometer at 750nm and some physicochemical parameters were analyzed before and after the experiment using standard methods. Descriptive statistics, inferential (one way analysis of variance) ANOVA repeated measures, paired t-test and Tukey test were done using Microsoft excel 2010 and statistical package for social sciences SPSS20. The results showed that there was a significant difference (p < 0.05) in the growth
response of both microalgae. Different concentrations of brewery effluent affected the growth of Thalassiosira sp. and Chaetoceros gracilis. Higher concentrations (20%, 25% and 30%) had more stimulatory effect than lower concentrations (5%, 10% and 15%) when Thalassiosira sp. was used. Chaetoceros gracilis grew best in lower concentrations of 10%, 15% and 20%. A decrease in temperature was observed in all treatments while TOC and COD decreased at lower
concentrations of brewery effluent then remained constant at higher concentrations