J. F. Bamidele

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

The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of varying light intensities on the growth and development of Zea mays (maize), a staple crop of global importance. The experiment evaluated key growth parameters, including plant height, leaf number, leaf area, chlorophyll content, fresh weight, dry weight, and root development under three distinct light intensity levels: high,
medium, and low. The results indicated that high light intensity promotes superior growth, as evidenced by greater biomass accumulation, increased leaf area, taller plants, and higher fresh and dry weights. Conversely, low light intensity results in reduced growth rates but induces an adaptive increase in chlorophyll content to maximize light absorption. Root development was
also significantly influenced, with high light intensity supporting robust root systems and low light leading to underdeveloped roots. This study highlights the critical role of light intensity in regulating photosynthesis and overall plant productivity. The findings provide valuable insights for optimizing agricultural practices to enhance maize yield, particularly in environments where
natural light is insufficient or inconsistent. Recommendations are made for strategic light management to ensure optimal maize growth in both traditional and controlled cultivation systems.

Fluted pumpkin (Telfairia occidentale Hook. F.) is a tropical plant belongingtotheCucurbitaceae family and holds significant economic value in Nigeria. Despite its highnutritional benefits and importance, there is a lack of information on how salinity impacts thisplant. This study aims to evaluate the effects of salinity on the growth of T. occidentalis. Theresearch was conducted over a four-week period. Seedlings of Telfairia occidentalis were placedin plastic bowls (30 cm in diameter) with drainage holes at the bottom to allowfor free waterdrainage. Two weeks after planting, the seedlings exhibited uniform growth and were movedtothe screen house of the Department of Plant Biology and Biotechnology. The plants wereirrigated with saline water at varying concentrations: 0 (control), 70, 140, and 280 mMNaCl, with three replicates for each treatment. The results indicated that high salinity negativelyaffectsT. occidentalis. The highest leaf length (19.67±1.53 cm) was observed in the 70 mMNaCl treatment, while the lowest leaf count (4.67±8.08) was recorded in week 4 for plants subjectedtothe highest salt concentration (280 mM NaCl). Additionally, the study found that salt stressadversely impacted the content of photosynthetic pigments, leading to a decrease inthechlorophyll content index and overall biomass yield. The findings suggest that T. occidentaliscan thrive in low to moderate salinity levels (70-140 mM NaCl), but its growth is significantlyhindered at high salinity levels