Browsing by Author "Afolabi, M. S."
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Item Diallel Analysis of Sweet Potato [Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam] Genotypes for Combined Beta Carotene and Dry Matter Content in Southern Guinea Savanna, Nigeria(Journal of Agriculture and Ecology Research International, 2019-07-26) Afolabi, M. S.; Bello, O. B.; Agbowuro, G. O.; Aremu, C. O.; Akoroda, M. O.Roots of orange-fleshed sweet potato varieties currently available in Nigeria contain high quantities of β-carotene or pro-vitamin A but have high moisture content. These varieties have been found to be a cheap and crucially important remedy for vitamin A deficiency. The cream or white-fleshed varieties, on the other hand, have a sweet taste with high dry matter content, giving a dry texture, a quality trait preferred in Nigeria. Development of sweet potato genotypes that can combine these two important quality traits is the objective of this breeding work. A diallel experiment using six parental sweet potato genotypes crossed in all possible combinations were carried out and thirty progenies were evaluated for beta carotene (β-carotene) and dry matter content in Landmark University, Omu Aran, Kwara State, Nigeria. The 30 F1 progenies along with their parental lines were planted in the same field trial. The trial was laid out in 6 x 6 triple lattice in two replications. Highly significant (P≤ 0.01) differences were observed among the genotypes for the traits. The average β-carotene content among the progenies was 2.86 (mg/100g.f.w) while the dry matter cttgontent had a mean value of 31.89%. The cross progenies 199024.2 x Excel had the highest beta carotene (14.37mg/100g.f.w) content with the highest dry matter content (40.10%) and are therefore recommended for further evaluation.Item Genetic Studies of Grain Yield and other Agronomic Traits of Low-N Maize (Zea mays L.) Using a Diallel Cross under Nitrogen Fertilizer Levels(International Journal of Plant Breeding, 2019-10) Salami, A. E.; Afolabi, M. S.; Agbowuro, Gbenga O.Ten low-N open pollinated maize varieties were converted to inbred line after six generations of selfing and used to study the genetic effects of grain yield and other agronomic traits. The 10 inbred lines were crossed in all possible combinations to generate 90 F1 hybrids (45 crosses and 45 reciprocals). The 90 F1 along with their parents were evaluated at the Teaching and Research Farms of Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti and Osun State University, Ejigbo in 2017, using two environments created by levels of N (low and high). The design at each location was a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with two replicates. Data were collected on plant height, ear height, days to 50% anthesis, days to 50% silking, incidence of curvularia leaf spot, blight, plant aspect, ear aspect, ear rot, stay green, cob per plant, ear weight, grain moisture content and grain yield. All data obtained were subjected to analysis of variance. Specific combining ability (SCA) and general combing ability (GCA) were obtained for the traits. The mean yield of the hybrids (6,444.42 t/ha) and reciprocal (5,971.64 t/ha) were significantly higher than their parents (2,212.84 t/ha). Significant GCA, SCA and reciprocal were recorded for all traits. Hybrids showed better performance compared with parental lines demonstrating heterotic effect. The ratio of GCA/SCA mean square revealed that non-additive gene action was more important for all the traits except ear height, blight, stay green and cob per plant. The estimate of GCA and SCA in this study provides the maize breeder with information to determine which lines to select to improve elite varieties and which parent lines should be used for making hybrids with greater grain yield under condition of low soil N.Item Rice Blast Disease (Magnaporthe oryzae): A Menace to Rice Production and Humanity(International Journal of Pathogen Research, 2020-06-22) Agbowuro, G. O.; Afolabi, M. S.; Olamiriki, E. F.; Awoyemi, S. O.Rice blast disease is one of the major constraints to rice production, threatening food security globally. Rice grain production losses due to the disease leads economic losses to the farmers, and to an increase in global rice price as a result of the supply that is far below the consumer demand. The losses from the disease annually was estimated to feed over 60 million individual. The disease has been studied comprehensively by researchers due to the importance attached to rice and its vast spread and destructiveness across the globe. A good understanding of the pathogen causing the disease, its life cycle and development, epidemiology, symptoms, management strategy will offer a good insight into the disease incidence and give an appropriate and effective decision-making in its management. Different control measures have been adopted managing the disease, including the use of resistant varieties. Integrated disease management strategies coupled with good agronomy practices are required for successful control of rice blast for food security. This review, therefore, examined the fundamentals of rice blast disease (Magnaporthe oryzae) and offered strategies to minimize the disease activities to ensure proper production and increase the supply of rice grains.