Master Dissertation

Habanero pepper (Capsicum chinense Jacq.) is an important horticultural crop in Nigeria, but its yield potential is constrained by poor soil fertility and unsustainable tillage practices. This study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of tillage practices and nitrogen fertilizer application rates on performance of Habanero pepper under field conditions in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria.
The field experiment was a 2 × 4 factorial arrangement fitted into a randomized complete block design with four nitrogen fertilizer rates (0, 40, 80, and 120 kg N/ha) and two tillage systems (minimum tillage and no-tillage) with three replications. Composite soil samples were collected and analyzed for physical and chemical properties before and after planting. Agronomic data collected includes plant height, number of leaves, number of branches, stem girth, and yield. Nutrient uptake, nutrient use efficiency (NUE), and nutrient balance sheets were used to assess fertilizer responsiveness.
Results showed that nitrogen application significantly affected soil pH, organic matter, and nutrient availability, with high N rates (120 kg/ha) resulting to acidification and organic matter decline. Minimum tillage enhanced nutrient uptake and plant growth compared to no-tillage. Optimal plant growth and yield were achieved under the interaction of minimum tillage and moderate nitrogen rates (40 and 80 with yield values of 4.42t/ha and 4.16t/ha respectively). NUE peaked at 40 kg N/ha and declined at higher rates, while nutrient balance sheets indicated surplus nitrogen with increased N inputs (120kg/ha). The study suggests that integrating 40–80 kg N/ha with minimum tillage optimizes Habanero pepper growth, yield, and soil quality and NUE, excessive N application should be avoided to promote healthy soil environment and ensure sustainable vegetable production systems in Nigeria.

Actinomycetes are gram-positive bacteria with high guanine + cytosine content of over 55% in their DNA. They belong to the order Actinomycetales and form an important segment of the microflora of most natural environments. Soils, manures and composts, freshwater bodies such as lakes and river bottoms contain an abundance of these organisms. Actinomycetes are aerobic, spore forming organisms with a distinctive feature of possessing filamentous hyphae that do not normally undergo fragmentation. Due to their phenotypic similarities to fungi, actinomycetes are also known as ray fungi (Chaudhary et al., 2013). Actinomycetes provide an excellent resource for the isolation and identification of therapeutically important secondary metabolites such as, antibiotic, antifungal, antiviral, anticancer, enzyme, immunosuppressant and other industrially useful compounds (Dhawane and Zodpe, 2017). These microbial compounds have been a source of life saving environment for many bacterial and fungal infections. Some effective antibiotics manufactured from actinomycetes includes: penicillin, streptomycin, tetracycline, erythromycin, amphotericin and vancomycin. These microbial natural products are notable not only for their potent therapeutic activities but also for the fact that they frequently pose desirable pharmacokinetic properties required for clinical development (Khasabuli and Kibera, 2014). Antibiotics of actinomycetes origin have a wide variety of chemical structure, including aminoglycosides, β-lactams, antracyclines, tetracycline, nucleosides, peptides, polyenes and actinomycins. Secondary metabolites isolated from soil actinomycetes have also been proven to be potent inhibitors of numerous plant pathogens (Agadagba, 2014). 1 A large number of actinomycetes have been isolated and screened from soil in the past several decades, accounting for 70 80% of relevant secondary metabolites available commercially. It has been estimated that approximately one-third of the thousands of naturally occurring antibiotics have been obtained from actinomycetes (Chaudhary et al., 2013). More than 70% of these antibiotics are attributed to two genera viz., Streptomyces and Micromonospora (Rai et al., 2018). The richness and diversity of actinomycetes present in any specific soil, is greatly influenced by the soil type, geographical location, cultivation and organic matter amongst other factors (Agadagba, 2014). According to the World Health Organization, over-prescription and the improper use of antibiotics has led to the generation of antibiotic resistance in many bacterial pathogens (Kumar et al., 2010). Serious infections caused by microorganisms that have acquired resistance to commonly used antibiotics have become a major global healthcare problem in the 21st century (Jarallah and Rahaman, 2014). Some antibiotics like penicillin, erythromycin, and methicillin which used to be very effective treatment against infectious diseases are now less effective because pathogens are now more resistant to such antibiotics. Antibiotic resistant pathogens such as methicillin and vancomycin resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus and others cause an enormous threat to the treatment of serious infections. These drug resistant strains emerge more quickly than the rate of discovery of new drugs and antibiotics (Kumar et al., 2010). Also, increase in fungal infection happens because the available antifungal drugs are not very effective in treating fungal diseases. Fungal diseases are often difficult to diagnose and treat because antifungal drugs are often not very effective in the setting of impaired immunity (Casadevall et al., 2002). Candida albicans can develop resistance to antimycotic drugs such as fluconazole which is often used to treat candidiasis. The frequency of multiazole-resistant 2 3 strains belonging to Candida species other than Candida albicans is increasing (Hitchcock et al., 1993)

Eleusine coracana is commonly found in the arid regions of Asia and Africa. The seeds are used locally in the management of various diseases such as diabetes, osteoporosis, anaemia, ulcer, depression and insomnia. This study was carried out to determine the antidiabetic activity of different fractions of Eleusine coracana seeds and identify compounds present in the active fractions. Proximate analysis, phytochemical screening and mineral analysis were carried out using standard methods. The powdered seed (5.5 kg) was extracted with methanol in a Soxhlet apparatus. The concentrated crude extract (100 g) was subjected to vacuum liquid chromatography using solvents of increasing polarity (n-nexane, dichloromethane, ethylacetate, 50% ethanol/ethyl, 100% methanol, 20% water/methanol, 50% water/methanol and water) to obtain different fractions. The median lethal dose was determined using Lorke’s method. Antioxidant screening, total phenols and flavonoid content determination were also carried out on the extract and fractions using 1,1, diphenyl 2 picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging method, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) method, folin ciocateau and aluminium chloride test respectively. The crude extract and selected fractions at a dose of 200 and 400 mg/kg/day were screened for antidiabetic activity using streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. The ethylacetate fraction was chromatographed to obtain fractions. Fractions with similar TLC profile were combined and selected combinations were further purified. The ethylacetate and n-hexane fraction were subjected to infrared spectroscopic (IR) analysis and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopic (GC-MS) analysis to determine the chemical constituent(s) present. The moisture content and total ash of the powdered seed were 0.38 ± 0.14 and 2.23 ± 0.13, respectively. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of carbohydrates, proteins, xxiv alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, reducing sugars, saponins, phenols and terpenoids. Mineral analysis revealed the presence of essential minerals such as calcium (362.20 ± 9.01), sodium (11.66 ± 1.17), potassium (19.72 ± 0.39), magnesium (1.06 ± 0.00) and zinc (0.35 ± 0.01). Heavy metals such as nickel and cadmium were not present in the sample while the others fell below WHO recommended limit for heavy metals. The median lethal dose was observed to be 5000 mg/kg/day, no mortality was observed after 24 hr and 14 days of monitoring. Antioxidant screening revealed that the 50% ethylacetate: methanol fraction had the highest antioxidant activity (IC50 = 29.65 μg/mL) as well as the highest total phenol (132.40 ± 0.51 mgGAE/g) content compared to the crude extract and fractions. The crude extract and fractions at 200 and 400 mg/kg/day dose were able to significantly (P < 0.05) reduce the blood glucose level of the diabetic rats at varying degrees compared to the diabetic untreated animals. Photomicrograph of the pancreas revealed that the crude extract and fractions reduced degenerative changes in the beta cells of islet of Langerhans at varying degrees compared to the diabetic untreated animals. At 400 mg/kg/day, the n-hexane fraction showed the least protective effect on the islets cells. IR spectroscopic analysis revealed that carbonyl groups are the major functional groups present in the tested samples. GC-MS analysis of the ethylacetate and n-hexane fractions revealed that the compounds contained in these fractions are non-polar, long chain fatty acids and esters, few alcohols, long chain saturated alkanes and unsaturated alkenes. This study has shown that the various fractions of Eleusine coracana can significantly reduce blood glucose level in diabetic rats and these fractions contain compounds which may attribute to their antidiabetic effect

The soil water characteristic curve (SWCC) is a graphical relationship between the matric suction (pore water suction)  and the water content (gravimeter  or volumetric  or degree saturation s). It is one of the basic characteristics of unsaturated soils and as such, it is useful for estimating the other properties of soil when solving engineering problems in areas like fluid flow, irrigation scheduling, compressibility and shear strength. SWCC also provide input to the design of a compacted clay cover liner and earth Dam due to its potential impact of flow rate and the dessication processes. Since the experimental procedures, in which a filter paper or pressure plate test adopted for determining the matric suction-water content relationship is time consuming and cost-intensive, hence the need to produce the SWCC using some mathematical functions (models). The fundamental aim of this research is to determine the mechanical behaviour of lateritic soil using SWCC. The soil samples that were used in this research work are residual reddish brown lateritic soil that was obtained from University of Benin Campus. The method of disturbed sampling was employed in obtaining soil samples for laboratory testing. Full laboratory investigation were carried out on the soil samples, these include; liquid limits, plastic limit, plasticity index, liquidity index, specific gravity, particle size analysis and specific gravities. Soil water characteristics curve (SWCC) specimens were prepared with one compactive effort (BSL) to relative OMC. 2.5kg of each specimen was moistened with tap water, mixed thoroughly and compacted in BS moulds and later cored into stainless steel rings with inside diameters of 50mm and heights of 50mm with the aid of a mallet. Each of the 15 specimens was covered with caps at both ends before saturation. The samples were subjected to full saturation by capillary action for a period of 3 weeks. The pressure plate drying test used in this study was conducted to determine the relationships between volumetric water content and matric suction potentials in a soil subjected to pressures ranging between 0 - 1500kPa. Pressure was applied to a predetermined value to induce matric suction. Testing was terminated when the outflow stopped indicating that specimens had equilibrated with the applied matric suction. The specimens were removed and their volumetric water content was determined. The procedure was repeated to develop an entire SWCC by subjecting the soil specimens to different pressures (0 – 1500kPa). In this study, the author used 3 models and they are Van Genuchten equation, Fredlund and Xing equation and Brooks – Corey equation. With the data from the pressure plate extractor to predict hydraulic productivity and volumetric water content of the soil samples. The results of index properties shows that the natural moisture content of the soil is between 36%- 46%, plasticity index is between 17,92% to 28.03%. The specific gravity is between 2.31%-2.57% and the soil is classified as lateritic soil of low plasticity. The SWCC data from pressure plate extractor have been fitted with Van Genuchten (1980); Brooks-Corey (1964); Fredlund and Xing (1994) equation. The result show that the air entry value and residual matric suction for residual soils are in the range of 18kpa to 30kpa and 43kpa to 670kpa respectively.The result shows that: Generally, Van Genuchten and Brooks-Corey models over predicted volumetric water content (θ) at low suctions, while Fredlund-Xing model under predicted it but the values are close to laboratory measured values

This study investigated the adoption and impact of artificial intelligence (AI) in the Nigerian broadcast media landscape, with a focus on Edo Broadcasting Station (EBS) and Independent Television (ITV) stations in Benin City. The objectives of the study were to assess the extent of AI-generated content usage, examine the perceived impact of AI on media credibility, and identify the factors influencing AI adoption in these stations. The study is grounded in the Source Credibility Theory and the Artificial Intelligence Adoption Model and employs survey as research design while utilising questionnaire to collect data from media practitioners in EBS and ITV stations. Therefore, a questionnaire was used as the primary instrument for data collection. The findings of the study reveal a moderate level of AI-generated content usage in EBS and ITV stations, with concerns about credibility and ethical implications. The study concludes that AI adoption can enhance media operations, but it requires careful consideration of ethical and transparency issues. Based on the findings, the study recommends that media organisations develop guidelines for AI usage, invest in training for media practitioners, and prioritise transparency and accountability in AI-generated content. These recommendations aim to promote the responsible and effective use of AI in the Nigerian broadcast media sector.

The advent of the internet has revolutionized various aspects of human life, including education. However, this progress has also given rise to new forms of crime, specifically cybercrime. Cybercrime refers to any illegal activity that primarily uses a computer as its medium. This broad category encompasses actions such as hacking, phishing, identity theft, and online scams. In recent years, Nigeria has witnessed a significant surge in cybercrime, with university students being notably involved. This trend poses a grave concern for many educational institutions, including the University of Benin. The involvement of students in these illicit activities tarnishes the reputation of their respective institutions and poses severe threats to their academic achievements¹.

Cerebellar disorders are a class of neurological impairments characterized by unsteady gait anduncoordinated movements, typically resulting from lesions or pathologies affecting the cerebellum. These disorders may arise from congenital anomalies, hereditary ataxias, or exposure to environmental neurotoxicants such as heavy metals. Mercury, a highly toxic heavy metal, is known to exert deleterious effects on the central nervous system. Its lipophilic nature enables it to cross the blood-brain barrier, where it accumulates and induces oxidative stress, leading to neuroinflammation, neuronal damage, and impaired motor coordination. Dietary antioxidants have shown promise in combating mercury-induced neurotoxicity. Accordingly, this study investigated the activity of ethanol extract of Pleurotus ostreatus (P. ostreatus) against mercuric chloride (HgCl2) induced cerebellar toxicity in Wistar rats. In this study, fortytwo (42) Wistar rats were randomly assigned into six groups (A-F). Group A rats served as control; Group B received 4 mg/kg body weight [bw] of HgCl2 only; Group C received 4 mg/kg bw of HgCl2+ 250 mg/kg of P. ostreatus; Group D received 4 mg/kg bw of HgCl2 + 500 mg/kg of P. ostreatus; Group E received 250 mg/kg bw of P. ostreatus only and Group F received 500mg/kg bw of P. ostreatus only. All administrations were done orally for twenty-eight (28) days. Neurobehavioural activity was subsequently evaluated using the Open Field, String, Movement Initiation and Step Tests. Following the assessments, the experimental rats were sacrificed via cervical dislocation and the cerebellum harvested for antioxidant enzymes activity, lipid peroxidation, mercury concentration and histological assessments. The findings revealed that rats exposed to HgCl2 exhibited significant (p <0.05) weight loss, motor deficit, impaired antioxidant defense, elevated lipid peroxidation, elevated mercury levels and degeneration of Purkinje cells and molecular layer neurons. However, co-administration with P. ostreatus significantly (p < 0.05) mitigated these mercury-induced cerebellar alterations in Wistar rats. Overall, the findings from this study indicate that P. Ostreatus mitigates mercuric chloride-induced cerebellar toxicity, primarily through its antioxidant, neuroprotective, and metal-chelating properties, thus making it a promising agent for the development of novel therapeutic strategies aimed at managing mercury neurotoxicity and its associated motor impairments.

Acanthus montanus, commonly referred to as "beer's breech," "alligator plant," or "mountain thistle," is a potent medicinal plant that belongs to the Acanthaceae family. It holds significant importance in ethnomedicine. Throughout Nigeria's history, it has been utilized for managing a diverse array of health issues including wounds, gonorrhea, heart failure, and more. Acanthus montanus is rich in phytochemicals, including alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, tannins, glycosides, and terpenoids. These compounds exhibit diverse biological and pharmacological properties, encompassing analgesic, anti-inflammatory, immunological, anti-fertility, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, and hepatocurative activities. This study investigated the reproductive toxicological effects of aqueous leaf extracts of Acanthus montanus on male and female Wistar rats. Extracts were administered at varying doses (200 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg, and 800 mg/kg) and 0.5 ml of distilled water as control. The body and organ weights (testes, penis, uterus, ovaries) demonstrated no significant deviations from the control group. Toxicological assessments revealed no adverse impacts on lipid metabolism, as evidenced by lipid profile assays. Hormonal analyses affirmed that the extracts maintained endocrine equilibrium, with hormone levels within normal ranges in all make treated groups, while the female groups exhibited varying level of fluctuations in their hormonal levels. Antioxidant assays disclosed noteworthy antioxidant effects, particularly at the highest dose (800 mg/kg), reflecting the potential of Acanthus montanus extracts to combat free radicals and uphold cellular integrity. Histological evaluation of reproductive organs unveiled no notable structural changes, indicating the extracts' non-induction of tissue damage or morphological aberrations. In conclusion, aqueous leaf extracts of Acanthus montanus, across various dosages, exhibited negligible impact on body and organ weights, reflecting safety. Moreover, they displayed antioxidant properties without compromising reproductive health or lipid metabolism. This underlines the promising prospects of Acanthus montanus extracts as natural antioxidants in the realms of reproductive health and oxidative stress management. While these findings are encouraging, further research across diverse animal models and potentially human subjects is imperative for a comprehensive understanding of the plant's benefits and mechanisms

Hippocampal dysfunction is a key feature of several neurocognitive disorders and may arise from factors such as congenital defects, neurodegeneration, or exposure to neurotoxicants. Lead (Pb), a potent heavy metal, crosses the blood-brain barrier and accumulates in the hippocampus, where it disrupts calcium signaling and induces oxidative stress, thus contributing to neuronal damage and cognitive deficits. Evidence suggests that dietary antioxidants may help mitigate Pb-induced oxidative damage and preserve hippocampal function. Accordingly, this study investigated the protective activity of aqueous Rosmarinus officinalis leaf extract (R. officinalis) against lead acetate (PbA) induced hippocampal toxicity. Forty-eight (48) adult Wistar rats were randomly assigned into six groups (A-F). Group A served as control; Group B received 100 mg/kg body weight [bw] of PbA only; Group C received 100 mg/kg bw of R. officinalis extract and PbA; Group D received 200 mg/kg bw of R. officinalis extract and PbA; Group E received 100 mg/kg bw of R. officinalis extract only and Group F received 200 mg/kg bw of R. officinalis extract only. All administrations, via an orogastric tube, lasted for twenty-eight (28) days. Thereafter, neurobehavioral activities were evaluated using the Novel object recognition, Y-maze and Elevated plus maze tests. Following the sacrifice of the experimental rats, the hippocampi were collected for Pb concentration, antioxidant enzymes activity, lipid peroxidation, acetylcholinesterase activity, nitric oxide levels, and histological assessments as well as apoptosis. The findings showed that PbAexposed rats exhibited significant (p<0.05) weight loss, cognitive and memory impairments, dysregulated antioxidant enzymes activity, and increased lipid peroxidation, nitric oxide, Pb and AChE levels, along with atrophy and vacuolation of pyramidal cells and astrocytes in the CA1 region of the hippocampus. Also, there was an upregulation of Caspase-3 expression in the hippocampus of experimental rats exposed to PbA, indicating apoptosis as a possible mechanism of action. However, pretreatment with R. officinalis significantly (p<0.05) mitigated the adverse effects induced by PbA in the hippocampus of experimental rats suggesting strong metal-chelating, anti-cholinesterase, and NO-scavenging effects. Similarly, the downregulation of caspase-3 expression in the hippocampus of PbA-exposed rats following pretreatment with R. officinalis supports its anti-apoptotic potential. Overall, these findings suggest that R. officinalis exhibits potent antioxidant, metal-chelating, nitric oxide-scavenging, anti-cholinesterase and anti-apoptotic properties, thus providing novel evidence supporting R. officinalis as a promising neuroprotective agent with potential for drug development against hippocampal dysfunction.

In today’s dynamic and uncertain business environment, disruptions from suppliers have become a frequent problem for many organizations. Challenges such as late deliveries, increasing costs, and unstable supply networks often arise when suppliers do not perform as expected. This study examines how companies handle these disruptions, highlighting the types of risks involved and assessing the effectiveness of measures used to reduce their impact. The study used a survey approach involving 216 staff members from 12 medium and large organizations within the manufacturing, healthcare, and retail industries in Edo State, Nigeria. Data was collected through a structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics and ANOVA to evaluate how well different risk management strategies work. The findings indicate that supplier related risks such as delivery delays, poor product standards, and excessive dependence on a single supplier are widespread and have a significant influence on procurement activities. Organizations are addressing these risks through practices like using multiple suppliers, carrying out supplier assessments, and keeping buffer stock. These methods have produced moderate results, but further progress is still needed. The study concludes that although companies are taking steps to manage supplier risks, adopting more proactive, technology-driven approaches and improving cooperation with suppliers will strengthen supply chain resilience. It recommends expanding the supplier base, investing in realtime tracking tools, and fostering stronger supplier partnerships to reduce the effect of future disruptions.