DEPARTMENT OF PLANT BIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY

Ferruginous soils present challenges for plant growth due to their elevated iron levels, which can cause iron toxicity and negatively impact crop productivity. Copper nanoparticles demonstrate potential in mitigating iron toxicity in plants. This research studied maize plants polluted with different copper nanoparticle concentrations in ferruginous soils with elevated iron. The aim was to ascertain maize tolerance to various iron stress levels and its resultant yield. The results indicated improved maize growth with copper nanoparticles, significantly at 35% and 100% concentration in the early and late development phases. This infers a dose- dependent relationship between nanoparticle concentration and maize growth, with higher concentrations conveying increased maize sensitivity to excessive iron levels. The dynamic response of maize to nanoparticles over time emphasizes the need for exposure duration. In week 2, plants polluted with a 35% Cu nanoparticle concentration in soils alleviated at 4 ESV portrayed smaller leaf areas in contrast to those in 2.5 ESV soils. This infers that higher contamination may hamper the nanoparticles' positive leaf area effects. The complex impact of copper nanoparticles on maize morphology was influenced by a combination of factors including concentration, soil contamination, and specific parameters. Plant height, leaf length, leaf width, leaf area, and sheath length were modified by treatment, while blocks substantially affected plant height, leaf length, and sheath length. Copper nanoparticles demonstrate the potential to improve maize resilience in ferruginous soils, presenting a viable sustainable agriculture solutions in iron-rich environments.

Different types of mushrooms, such as Marasmiellus inoderma, Pleurotus ostreatus, and Ganoderma lucidum, from the families Marasmieceae, Pleurotaceae, and Ganodermataceae respectively, are exceedingly adaptable and may offer health advantages. Additionally, they createmush room powder, a healthy, gluten-free substitute for traditional wheat flour that emphasizes its culinary uses and environmental benefits. The discussion then moves to a study that aims to increase dietary fiber, improve flavor and scent, and enrich bread with nutritional content of mushroom while investigating potential health advantages and encouraging culinary innovation. The ultimate goal of this study is to maximize the production of mushroom bread and determine whether it can be produced economically while still satisfying consumer demand. It also include determining how different mushroom types affect flavor and acceptability, lowering the amount of sugar in bread, finding the ideal ratios for mushroom powder, evaluating the effects of processing methods, analysing nutritional value and health benefits, and assessing shelf life and consumer perceptions. The mushroom powder which was processed by dehydration was added in different percentage and levels to bread flour which is then used to make bread. The bread is to be made delicious, in wheat bread style, reduced sugar content and have an original mushroom taste. It was done by measuring ingredients, mixing and kneading into a dough, proofing, baking and cooling off completely. The proximate was determined with content of moisture 25.10%, fibre 0.53%, fat 22.23%, ash 1.70%, dry matter 74.93%, protein 9.99% and carbohydrate 40.45%. Palatability test and mold analysis was carried out to determine consumer acceptance and determine the shelf life of the bread. This study infuses biotechnology into baking and vice versa.

This study examines the impact of mulching on the MORPHOLOGY OF BBT BROWN VARIETY OF COWPEA (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) it was conducted in the university of Benin's Department of Plant Biology and Biotechnology botanic garden, the experiment aim to expose the impact of various mulched types on the cowpea. This research investigated the morphological responses of cowpea to eight distinct soil covers (mulch) comprising four inorganic mulch (Polythene Back(PO), Polythene White (PW), Polythene Transparent (PT),Polythene Blue (PB)) and five organic residual (Sawdust, Banana Leaves, Bamboo Leaves, Spent Substrate), against a non-mulched control. The primary objectives were to delineate the influence of each material on stand establishment, vegetative morphology, resource partitioning via the Root Mass Ratio (RMR), and the resulting economic yield components. The experiment evaluated critical parameters across the growth cycle, including Emergence Percentage, Shoot weight, leaf weight, Avg no of leaves, root collar Root Nodules count, RMR(Root Mass Ratio), and key yield components (Avg No of Pods, Avg No of Seeds/Pod, and Avg Pod Length, Avg pendicule length). The analysis revealed significant variation in morphology parameters and impact, it reveals that polythene Black (PO) treatment established itself as the leading practice for highest mean numbers of pods, this findings translated to an increase in pod output compared to the control(non- mulched).The outcome of the analysis also show that inorganic polythene white mulch influenced the cowpea plant as observed in the yield quality metrics having recorded the highest no of pods per seed and the longest Avg pod length, leading to a notable increase during harvest as compared to the control. It also showed that a certain mulch type (OS) influenced the cowpea plant to adopt a root prioritizing strategy giving that it recorded the highest no of nodules. This findings definitively confirms that mulching is essential for optimizing cowpea productivity, but the choice of material must align with the specific productions goals (Either for commercial yield maximization or it utility for long term soil biological sustainability).

The effects of organic and inorganic fertilizers on the growth and yield of Solanum macrocarpon (African eggplant) was investigated. Declining soil fertility remains a major challenge to agricultural productivity, necessitating the exploration of effective fertilization strategies. This research aimed to evaluate and compare the growth performance of Solanum macrocarpon under different fertilizer treatments, including poultry dung (organic manure), NPK (inorganic fertilizer), and a combination of both. A randomized complete block design (RCBD) was employed, with plants subjected to varying concentrations of the fertilizers. Growth parameters such as seed germination, chlorophyll content index, leaf number, leaf area and stem girth were monitored over the study period. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS 20. Duncan Multiple Range (DMR) was used for Analyses of variance (ANOVA) to separate the means and report statistical significance among treatments. The findings revealed that plants treated with inorganic fertilizer (NPK) exhibited the highest initial growth rate and yield, attributed to the rapid availability of essential nutrients. However, poultry dung-treated plants demonstrated sustained growth over time due to improved soil structure and microbial activity. The combination of poultry dung and NPK resulted in optimal growth performance, indicating a complementary effect of organic and inorganic fertilizers

This study surveyed the diversity, abundance, and distribution of ornamental plants within the University of Benin (UNIBEN), Edo State, Nigeria. Five sites were selected for the assessment they were Main Gate (Site A), Edaiken Road (Site B), Vice Chancellor’s Office (Site C), Medical Complex (Site D), and Anatomy Back Gate (Site E). A line transect method was adopted, and plant species occurring along each transect were identified, counted, and recorded. Diversity was
evaluated using the Shannon–Wiener diversity index (H′) and Evenness index (J). Results revealed variations in vegetation composition and diversity across the sites. Site A (Main Gate) had the
highest number of individuals (63) and moderate diversity (H′ = 1.217), dominated by Duranta erecta. Site B (Edaiken Road) recorded the lowest richness (two species) and diversity (H′ = 0.694), while Site C (Vice Chancellor’s Office) was strongly dominated by Ixora coccinea
(80.33%), resulting in the lowest diversity (H′ = 0.666). Site D (Medical Complex) exhibited the highest diversity (H′ = 1.368) and evenness (J = 0.764), indicating a well-balanced vegetation structure, while Site E (Anatomy Back Gate) showed moderate richness (H′ = 1.220). Overall,
findings showed that ornamental plant diversity in UNIBEN varied widely among sites, influenced by species dominance, planting design, and maintenance intensity. The Medical Complex emerged
as the most ecologically balanced site, while the Vice Chancellor’s Office was the least diverse.
The study concludes that ornamental diversity within the university can be improved through deliberate introduction of more indigenous and underutilized species, adoption of mixed planting strategies, and sustainable landscape management to promote ecological stability and enhance aesthetic value