July 2016

Anatomical characteristics of Nigerian variants of Caladium bicolor (Aiton) Vent. (Araceae)

Four Caladium bicolor variants collected from different parts of Nigeria were subjected to anatomical comparison to enhance the taxonomic status of the species. Fresh samples (leaf and petiole) of these variants were fixed in formalin, acetic acid and alcohol (FAA), dehydrated in alcohol series, peeled or sectioned. Peeled specimens were stained with safranin, while sectioned ones were stained with Alcian blue and...

Author(s): Chimezie Ekeke and Ikechukwu O. Agbagwa

July 2016

Evaluation of plant stage dependency of QTLs to homologous and heterologous rust pathogen isolates of barley

A disease test at different leaf layers (plant stages) of homologous rust and heterologous rust species were studied. The result from homologous rust species showed that those quantitative trait loci (QTLs) (Rphq2 and Rphq11) which were effective at seedling stage were also effective across all plant stages with gradually decreasing effect as plants grew older. Rphq3 which had consistent effect in all leaf layers...

Author(s): Dido A. A., Freddy Y. K. San and Rients E. Niks

July 2016

Response of Sesbania (Sesbania sesban L. Merr.) to inoculation with indigenous isolates of Rhizobium strains

Nitrogen fixation through legume-rhizobium symbiosis serves as a cost effective, sustainable and eco-friendly source of N to fodder and grain legume crops. However, there is a need to identify effective rhizobial inoculants compatible with a particular legume. An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of forty indigenous isolates of Rhizobium strains on Sesbania sesban L. Merr. Each strain was cultured...

Author(s): Endalkachew Wolde-meskel, Elias Dogiso Dagne and Wassie Haile