Comparative Effects of Cocoa Pod Husk and Oil Palm Bunch Ash on Nutrient Uptake, Growth and Dry Matter Yield of Cocoa (The-obroma cacao) in Ibadan, Southwest Nigeria

The high premium placed on the organically produced cocoa in the international market coupled with its health and environmental benefits necessitated recent focus on research into the use of agricultural wastes as source of nutrients in cocoa (T. cacao) production. The study was carried out at the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN), Ibadan (Lat. 7&deg25'N Long. 3&deg25'E), South-western, Nigeria during the 2010/2011 seedling production season to compare the effects of NPK (20:10:10) fertilizer, Cocoa Pod Husk and Oil Palm Bunch Ash (CPHA and OPA) on the seedling growth and dry matter yield of cocoa (T. cacao). Equivalent amount of different rates of two nutrients sources CPHA and OPA were applied one month after planting at 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 t/ha respectively, recommended rate of 10 kg·N of the conventional NPK (20:10:10). Fertilizer was used as reference fertilizer. Results indicated that all the fertilizer materials positively and significantly (p > 0.05) increased the growth parameters considered. The influence of the ash materials irrespective of sources on the nutrient uptake, dry matter yield of cocoa seedlings and shoot to root ratio were either higher than or had a comparable results with the reference fertilizer (NPK 20:10:10). CPHA and OPA applied at a rate of 4 t/ha significantly (p > 0.05) increased the plant height and root length of cocoa seedlings respectively relative to control and in—organic fertilizer and could therefore be recommended for the prospective and existing Nigerian cocoa farmers for raising their seedlings in the nursery before transplanting to the field.

Effects of Plantain (<i>Musa species</i>) as Shade on the Growth Performance of Cocoa Seedlings in the Nursery at Ibadan, Southwest, Nigeria

Nursery experiment was carried out at Ibadan, Nigeria between May 2004 and October 2005 to evaluate the use of plantain as a permanent cocoa nursery shade crop. Ibadan is located between latitude 07?10'N and longitude 03?52'E and lies at an altitude of about 122 metres above the sea level. The treatments consisted of six shade regimes provided by plantain spaced at 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5 and, 3.1 m apart, the control had no shade at all (open planted cocoa). Each treatment had one hundred cocoa seedlings planted in polythene bag filled with topsoil and laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) in three replications. Data on vegetative growth of cocoa seedlings were taken on monthly basis, while plantain height, girth, number of leaves, bunch weight, number of fingers and market value of each treatment were evaluated. Light intensity under each of the treatment was taken using light meter. Result showed that cocoa seedlings under plantain shade planted at 1.0 m and 1.5 m apart were higher in height relative to control and other treatments considered, shade regimes provided by spacing at 3.1 × 3.1 m and 2.5 m × 2.5 m apart on the other hand produced higher values for stem diameter and leaf area respectively compared to other treatments, the least values were recorded under 1.0 m × 1.0 m apart. Seedlings under 2.5 m and 3.1 m spacing were significantly (p > 0.05) higher for these parameters than other treatments. Higher incidence of weed was also recorded from the control. Plantain bunch obtained from 2.5 m and 3.1 m apart was higher than other treatments in terms of weight, number of fingers and market value, while the control (no plantain shade) did not give any economic returns. Hence, plantain planted at spacing of 2.5 m or 3.1 m apart could be recommended to the cocoa farmers in Nigeria as nursery shade instead of conventional method of using bamboo and palm fronds yearly without any additional economic return.

Outbreak, Distribution and Damage Characteristics of Cocoa Stem Borer, Eulophonotus myrmeleon Felder 1874 (Lepidoptera: Cossidae) in Major Cocoa Producing States in Nigeria

This study aims to ascertain the extent of the cocoa stem borer Eulophonotus myrmeleon distribution, outbreak, and damage to the cocoa plantations in six cocoa growing states in Nigeria. Three local government areas were selected from each of the six major cocoa states and three farms from each local government area. In each farm, 100 cocoa trees were randomly selected and inspected for symptoms and damages of E. myrmeleon. The result revealed that E. myrmeleon infestation has increased significantly (p = 0.01, df = 1, F = 41.77) in 2019 by 10% from the 2014 inspection. It also showed that the infestation level was significantly different from state to state. Symptoms of infestation include presence of entry/exit holes, woody exudates around the trees, yellowing and browning of the leaves. Damages caused by E. myrmeleon infestation are, loses of pod on the affected branch and tree and death of tree. Field observations showed clearly that stem borer is now becoming a serious problem and limiting considerably the production of cocoa in the region. It is time to give more attention to the biology and management of the pest. This is the first report detailing the symptoms and damage done by cocoa stem borers in Nigeria.

Evaluation of Weed Incidence and Biomass in Coffee Intercropped with Oil Palm in Avenue and Hollow Square Arrangement in Nigeria

Weed incidence and biomass in tree crop plantations are mainly influenced by environmental, farm management practices and cropping systems. Manipulation of intercropping systems to improve weed management in coffee intercropped with oil palm requires a better understanding of spatial and temporal dynamics of weeds. To evaluate the effect of weed incidence and biomass in coffee intercropped with oil palm in avenue and hollow square arrangement, a study was carried out in Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN) in two locations. The locations are Idi-Ayunre (7&deg;25'N, 3&deg;24'E) (an alfisol) and Uhonmora (6&deg;5'N, 5&deg;50'E) (ultisol) in rainforest and derived savannah parts of Nigeria respectively. The experiment had three treatments comprising coffee sole (control), coffee with oil palm (Hollow square) arrangement and coffee with oil palm (Avenue) planting. Coffee was planted 3.0 m apart while oil palm was planted 9 m apart. Equal size of land area was used for coffee in each treatment. The experimental design was Randomized Complete Block (RCBD) with three replicates. Data on vegetative growth of coffee, weed incidence and biomass were taken at three-monthly intervals. The result showed that coffee/oil palm (Hollow Square) had the least weed incidence and biomass closely followed by coffee/oil palm (Avenue) planting. The control had the highest weed biomass which was significantly different from Hollow square and Avenue planting at P ≤ 0.05. The morphological parameters on coffee followed the same pattern but Hollow square arrangement was significantly higher than Avenue and control at P ≤ 0.05.

Isolation and molecular characterization of entomopathogenic nematode,Heterorhabditis sp.from an arable land in Nigeria

The occurrence of entomopathogenic nematodes(EPNs)in arable soil samples from Nigeria was investigated using Baermann extraction tray and insect-bait(White’s trap)techniques.Isolates were tested for infectivity using the larvae of Galleria mellonella(greater moth)and Tenebrio molitor(mealworm).The study revealed a new species of Heterorhabditis(MT371593)in soil samples that were randomly collected from an arable farmland cultivated with cassava TMS-30572 at the Teaching and Research Farm of Landmark University,Nigeria.Amplification of the internal transcribed spacer region(ITS)of the ribosomal DNA produced a nucleotide sequence of 933 base pairs(bp).A BLASTN search of GenBank showed that the sequence of the Nigerian isolate is identical at 99%similarity to that of Heterorhabditis sp.from Thailand.Infectivity test of the isolate showed 100%mortality against T.molitor larvae within 48 h of exposure while only 80%mortality was recorded for G.mellonella after 1 week of exposure.This is the first account of Heterorhabditis sp.in Nigeria.The varying degrees of infectivity against mealworm and greater moth observed in this study proved that the Nigerian isolate of Heterorhabditis sp.could potentially be an attractive option in the management of insect pests of cash crops.

Uptake and Use Efficiencies of Nutrients by Sesame and Bambara Nut Alley Crops as Influenced by Manuring in a Cashew-Based Intercropping System in the Guinea Savanna Agroecology of Nigeria

Field experiments were conducted at the experimental farm Cocoa Re-search Institute of Nigeria (CRIN) Sub-Station, Ochaja, in the Southern Guinea Savannaagro ecological zone of Nigeria to examine uptake and use efficien-cies of nutrients by Sesame and Bambara nut alley crops as influenced by manuring in a Cashew-based intercropping system. Experimental treatments were based on responses of sole and intercrop mixtures of Sesame and Bam-bara nut alley crops to Cocoa Pod Husk (CPH), pelletized organic fertilizer and NPK fertilizer in a cashew-based intercropping system. Data were collected on the growth and yield variables of the alley crops. Highest nitrogen harvest in-dex (NHI) for seed and leaf of alley crops were obtained from un-manure treated plants. Cocoa pod husk (CPH) significantly enhanced P uptake com-pared with other fertilizers applied. CPH improved Na, Ca, Mg Zn, Cu, P, K and carbohydrate in the leaves and Ca, Mg, Zn, Fe, Cu, crude fibre and car-bohydrate contents of seeds of sole crops while Sesame + Bambara had en-hanced contents of N, Ca, Mg, Zn, Cu, P, N, K, moisture, protein, and crude fi-bre, crude protein, moisture content in leaves. The effects of NPK were signifi-cant for N, K Ca, Zn, Fe, Cu, P, moisture and crude fibre, while in the un-manure (control) plots influenced N, fat and protein and nitrogen harvest index (NHI) of leaf and seeds. CPH and NPK fertilizers enhanced nutrient up-take and nitrogen harvest index of alley crops. Nutrient uptake was similar for the varieties of Sesame and Bambara nut as affected by the application of 4.84 and 9.68 Kg pelletized organic fertilizer. Sole Bambara had higher N and K concentration in leaves compared with Bambara +Sesame. In addition, sole Bambara had higher values of Physiology efficiency (PE), and fertilizer use ef-ficiency (FAE) compared to the mixed crops of Bambara + sesame. However, physiology efficiency (PE), and fertilizer use efficiency (FAE) were significantly lower for Bambara + Sesame. The un-manure plants had enhanced N, P and K uptake. Varietal effects were pronounced for most of the resource use effi-ciency variables measured. The alley crop varieties responded differently to 4.84 and 9.68 kg pelletized fertilizer treatments (Agronomy Efficiency (AE), N-removed at harvest and Internal Utilization Efficiency (IE) and partial fac-tor productivity (PFP)). Sesame variety NCRIBen04E had enhanced AE, N-remove at harvest, IE and PFP while variety E8 had significantly higher ap-parent Recovery Efficiency (RE), apparent Recovery Efficiency by difference (RE%), Physiology Efficiency (PE), Utilization Efficiency (UE), and internal Utilization Efficient (IE). Bambara variety TVSu999 had higher IUE, Agron-omy Efficiency (AE), Apparent Recovery Efficiency (RE), Physiology Effi-ciency (PE) and Fertilizer Agronomy using Efficiency respectively (FAE) com-pared to variety TVSu1166. The fertilizers affected most of the indicators of nutrient use efficiency (NUE) measured. The effects were significant on AE, agronomic N-use efficiency (ANUE), RE, UE and PFP. NPK fertilizer enhanced Physiology efficiency (PE) and Partial factor production. NPK fertilizer signifi-cantly enhanced NUE parameters compared to CPH and un-manure. CPH manure significantly influenced RE%, PE and IE. The Internal Utilization Effi-ciency and N-remove at harvest were compared with the un-manure plants (control). The effects of 9.68 kg/plot pelletized fertilizer, were pronounced on Agronomy Efficiency (AE), Apparent Recovery Efficiency by difference (RE%), Physiology Efficiency (PE), Utilization Efficiency (UE), N-removed at harvest and Internal Utilization Efficiency (IE). Similar trends were observed in the responses NUE of Sesame and Bambara manuring. The responses sole crops in terms of RE, PE UE PFP were similar while their intercrop combina-tions had significantly higher AE, RE, UE, PFP and N removed at harvest. Sole Sesame significantly influence Agronomy Efficiency (AE), Utilization Effi-ciency (UE), Internal Efficiency (IE) and Partial Fertilizer Production (PFP) and sole Bambara under NPK fertilizer had enhanced N-removed at harvest and apparent recovery by difference (RE%). Bambara + Sesame under cocoa pod husk (CPH) manure had enhanced apparent recovery efficiency by difference (RE%), fertilizer use efficiency (FAE) and internal utilization efficiency (IE). Sesame variety NCRIBen04E had enhanced Agronomy Efficiency (AE), N-removed at harvest and Internal Utilization Efficiency (IE) under 9.68 kg treatment while variety E8 had higher partial factor productivity (PFP) at 4.84 kg/plot pelletized organic fertilizer.

Evaluation of coffee intercropped with rice and plantain at early stage of field establishment in Nigeria

An intercropping experiment involving coffee (sole), coffee/rice, coffee/plantain and coffee/ rice/plantain was carried out between 2007 and 2008 at the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN) Uhonmora Substation, Edo State situated in a derived Guinea Savanna agro-ecological zone of Nigeria. The experiment was a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with above mentioned treatment and replicated three times. The spacing used for coffee and plantain was 3 m apart respectively while rice was sown 30 cm apart. Morphological parameters such as plant height, stem girth, leaf area and canopy score were taken on coffee monthly while the survival count were taken after two months of field establishment. Yields of the component crops were also collected at maturity. Data collected were subjected to statistical analysis of variance and LSD used to separate the means that were significant. Result obtained showed 98% survival without any significant difference among the treatments. On vegetative growth, coffee/rice and coffee/plantain were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than coffee sole and coffee/rice/plantain in plant girth and leaf area but not significantly higher in all the months. Plant height however did not follow the same trend as height in coffee sole was slightly higher than coffee/rice. However, the difference was not significant. But coffee/plantain was still significantly higher (P < 0.05) than coffee/rice/plantain. The least was recorded in coffee/rice/plantain intercrop. Grain and bunch yields from rice and plantain respectively in the intercrops compare favourable well to what obtain from coffee sole. From the result obtained, it could be concluded that there was no deleterious effect on growth when rice and plantain were intercropped with coffee. Therefore coffee/rice and coffee/plantain intercropped with better performance could be recommended to coffee farmers in Nigeria rather than sole planting of coffee.

Effect of Water Deficit Imposed during the Early Developmental Phase on Photosynthesis of Cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.)

A greenhouse study was carried out at Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria, Ibadan to study the effect of water stress on the four popular cocoa genotypes at the institute. F3 Amazon, T1, T7 and Amelonado were raised under different water regimes (daily, 3-day interval, 5-day interval and 7-day interval) at 100%, 50% and 25% field capacities. Data were collected on the height, leaf area, root length, stomata conductance, photosynthetic rate and water use efficiency of the plants. Results showed that plant performances showed genotypic variation in their response to water stress. Generally, there were linear and positive relationships between water level and values in both physiological and morphological responses of cocoa genotypes.

Ethanolic extract of Abrus precatorius leaves protected against mercury chloride-induced hepatocellular damage and cerebral Na+/K+-ATPase dysfunction in wistar rats

Plants are sources of medicinal compounds,and they play a crucial role in human health maintenance.Abrus precatorius is one of the important medicinal plants that have been alleged for their medicinal properties.This research unraveled the pharmacological effect of ethanolic extract of Abrus precatorius on lipid peroxidation,liver parameters,and Na^(+)/K^(+)-ATPase activity in HgCl_(2) treated wistar rats.Twenty-four(24)albino wistar rats weighing between 150-200 g were distributed into four groups of 6 animals each.Group A(control)received normal saline(0.9% NaCl),group B received 400 mg/kg of the extract only,group C received 4 mg/kg HgCl_(2) only,and group D received 400 mg/kg of extract+4 mg/kg of HgCl_(2).The treatment lasted for two weeks,and the animals were sacrificed on the 15th day.The blood,brains and livers were collected and used for assay of lipid peroxidation,liver function,and sodium pump activity.The results of liver function test revealed an elevated(P<0.05)level of serum aspartate transaminase,alanine transaminase,alkaline phosphatase,and total bilirubin in the group that received HgCl_(2) only(group C)when compared with the normal control(group A)that received normal saline only.However,the administration of extract in group D led to a marked(P<0.05)reduction in the activities of these enzymes and the level of total bilirubin when compared to the negative control(group C).On the contrary,HgCl_(2) caused a significant(P<0.05)reduction in serum total protein and albumin levels,but the extract reversed the effect of HgCl_(2) by elevating their concentrations.Nonetheless,the effect elicited by this extract is comparable to group A which received normal saline.Moreso,the result of lipid peroxidation revealed that HgCl_(2) treatment caused a marked(P<0.05)increase in the formation of lipid peroxidation adducts in both liver and brain homogenates in group C.On the contrary,administration of Abrus precatorius extract profoundly(P<0.05)inhibited HgCl_(2)-induced lipid peroxidation in group D.In addition,HgCl_(2) inhibited the activity of cerebral Na^(+)/K^(+)-ATPase,but the extract restored normalcy by increasing the activity of the enzyme in group D.Consequently,the results obtained justify the traditional use of Abrus precatorius and suggest that Abrus precatorius leaves may be used for management of liver diseases,oxidative stress-linked diseases and some neurodegenerative ailments.

Profitability Level and Determinants of Tea Intercropping in Taraba State

Intercropping involves the cultivation of more than one crop on a plot of land at a particular time.Tea intercropping with other crops can increase the profitability of farmers and the development of tea plants.The study estimated the profitability level of intercropped tea farms and determined the factors affecting the profitability of tea intercropping systems in the study area.Information was obtained from two hundred and four tea farmers using a well-structured questionnaire.The analytical techniques used in the study were descriptive analysis and linear regression.The results revealed that the majority(95.6%)of the farmers are from Kakara and Nyiwa towns.There are few(2.9%)women involved in tea farming in Taraba State.29%of the tea farmers are young less than 30 years and old above 60 years.Fifteen percent of the farmers are single,83.8%are married and 1.5%are divorced.About 40%of the tea farmers had no formal education,21%have between 1-6 years of education,19%had 7-12 years of education and 21%had greater than 12 years of education.The gross margin is N289,900,581.9 and the gross margin per farmer is N1,421,081.28.The net income is N2,879,055,533.3 and the net income per farmer is N1,411,301.63.The amount of profit tea farmers make in Taraba State is N1,425,001 and the profit per farmer is N6,985.30.Labour costs(weeding,pruning,application of insecticide,watering)and cost of materials(cutlass,file,chemical,bag and others)are significant determinants of the profit level of the tea intercropping system in Taraba State.Tea intercropping farming is profitable in Taraba State Nigeria.

Mutagenic Effects of Gamma Radiation on Eight Accessions of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata [L.] Walp.)

Mutagenesis is used for creating new genetic variability in cultivar improvement. Optimal mutagenic treatment is required for effective mutation induction in crop species. Therefore, radio-sensitivity of cowpea accessions to gamma irradiation was investigated. Seeds of eight cowpea accessions were irradiated with 60Co gamma radiation doses of 100, 200, 300, 400 and 500 Gy. The seeds were sown in pots to evaluate the treatment effects on seed germination (SG), seedling survival (SS) and growth habits of M1 generation. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Low rates of SG (10% - 45%) were recorded at higher doses (500 - 400 Gy) in Ife Brown (IB) and its derivatives, whereas high SG rates (74% - 94%) were observed in IT90K-284-2 across all treatments. Percentage SS was inversely related to gamma dosage. A wide range of LD50 for SG (329 - 1054 Gy) and SS (149 - 620 Gy) were observed across the cowpea accessions. Low LD50 scores for SG (329 - 516 Gy) and SS (149 - 357 Gy) were observed among cowpea with rough seed coat, whereas cowpea with smooth seed coat recorded higher LD50 for SG (521 and 1054 Gy) and SS (449 and 620 Gy). Seed germination LD50 and SS LD50 were highly correlated with mean coat thickness (0.899 and 0.937) than mean seed weight (0.621 and 0.678). Gamma irradiation of cowpea seed at low dosage (100 Gy) increased the vigor of M1 seedlings with respect to primary leaf area, terminal leaflet area, seedling height and plant height at six weeks. Doses of 200 Gy and above resulted in a progressive reduction in vigor of plant and seed setting of cowpea. Radio-sensitivity varied with cowpea genotype and was associated with seed testa texture, thickness and seed weight. Low gamma irradiation treatment (100 Gy) may be used to enhance seedling vigor, vegetative growth and yield of cowpea at M1 generation.

Genetic Analysis of Selected Mutants of Cowpea (<i>Vigna unguiculata</i>[L.] Walp) Using Simple Sequence Repeat and <i>rcb</i>L Markers

Genetic diversity evaluation of mutant lines is essential to facilitate their conservation and utility in breeding programs. Characterization of plant genotypes using morphological markers has limitations which make the procedure inefficient. Application of molecular tools for characterization and diversity assessment has been found useful to complement phenotypic evaluation of plant population. Therefore genetic diversity of some cowpea mutant lines was studied using simple sequence repeats (SSR) markers. DNA barcoding marker, ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase(rbcL) of the chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) was also used for characterization and identification of the mutants to species level. The mean polymorphic information content (0.51) obtained from the microsatellites showed high polymorphism in accessing wide genetic diversity among the mutants and their parents. Dendrogram generated revealed 8 groups with most mutants clustered separately from their parents. Sequence analysis revealed insertions/deletions (InDels) and base substitutions as the two main classes of mutations induced in the plastid DNA of the mutants studied. The nucleotide frequencies were 26.95% (A), 34.43% (T), 24.09% (C) and 14.53% (G). A total of 61.38% AT rich region was identified, while GC rich region was found to be 38.62%. Highest rate of mutations were observed in region 3 - 4 indicating that the region is less conserved in cowpea rbcL gene. The present study proved that SSR markers are useful for the genetic diversity assessment of cowpea mutants. It also proved the efficiency of rbcL markers in mutants’ identification. The results indicate that the mutants are valuable genetic resources that have been developed to widen cowpea genetic base.

The Influence of Organic Manure and Biochar on Cashew Seedling Performance, Soil Properties and Status

A nursery experiment was conducted at Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria to evaluate the impact of manure on cashew seedlings. Treatments consisted of biochar, compost, combination of biochar + compost and a control. Treatments were applied at rate of 0 g (control), 5 g compost, 5 g biochar and 2.5 g each of biochar and compost combination into 5 kg soil in pots, laid out in a completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications. The experiment was monitored for four months in the greenhouse. Data were collected on number of leaves, plant height, stem girth, soil nutrient composition and nutrient uptake, all analyzed using analysis of variance. The treated soils were also assayed on Potato Dextrose Agar for associated mycoflora. The study showed that the soil PH, N, P, K, Ca and Mg were equally enhanced significantly relative to the control, while Aspergillus, Trichoderma, Beauverie, Penicillium, Lasiodiplodia and Rhizopus cultured treated soils shows that Trichoderma harzianum and Beauverie bassiana were significantly higher in combination of biochar and compost treated soil and posed that their bio-control potential is coupled with soil fertility enhancement characteristics. The results also indicate that stem girth and number of leaves were significantly (P ≤ 0.05) different with respect to applied treatment at the first month after treatments application. The leaf area was not enhances with the application of biochar. Combination of biochar + compost significantly enhanced number of leaves and stem girth at the 4th and 12th weeks after planting. Similarly leaf K and P uptake were significantly (<0.05) increased by the application of organic compost and biochar irrespective of whether combined or not compared to the control seedlings. The effect of biochar and compost on cashew leaf Ca and Mg uptake were not significantly different from the control but had a higher value relative to the control. It could therefore be recommended that addition of compost and biochar for sustainable production of cashew seedlings in the nursery be embraced by prospective cashew farmers and seedlings distribution in Nigeria.

Correlation and Path Coefficient Analyses of Yield in Cacao(Theobroma cacao L.)

Cacao(Theobroma cacao L.)is an important commodity tree crop which produces the cocoa bean,a major source of income for most West African countries and many smallholder farmers.Declining yield of cacao is a major limitation to cocoa production in Nigeria.This study aimed at determining the correlations of the phenotypic traits that were related in the yield of the cacao genotypes.Nine cacao hybrids produced from some high-yielding parents in the research farm of Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria,Ibadan,Nigeria were evaluated from 2012 through 2017 in Owena(7°11’N,5°1’E),Ondo state,Nigeria.Character Correlations and Path Coefficient Analysis were used in the description of the performance of the genotypes.The study concluded that significant genotypic and phenotypic correlations existed among many of the pairs of the fruit and bean characters with one another and with pod index,suggesting a complex contribution of these characters either positively or negatively to growth and yield in cacao,and that fruit and bean traits are determinants of yield in cacao.

Financial Inclusion in Nigeria:A Gender Gap Approach

Ability to have access and use financial goods and services such as bank and mobile money accounts indicates the overall financial inclusion level of an economy and the higher the indices are in any economy,the better that economy is.Financial inclusion is important to realize inclusive growth in any country.It has direct impacts on the level of growth and development experienced by any economy.It can however,be skewed along gender lines as noticed overtime in the Nigerian economy and other developing economies.This study examined financial inclusion in Nigeria:a gender gap approach.It also determined the factors responsible for the gender gaps.The Global Findex(2014)dataset of Nigeria from World Bank database was used to analyse the aims of the study.In the study,61% of the men were financially included,while only 43% of the female were financially included,with 18% gap.The gap in endowments accounted for the huge difference of the gap in outcomes as males seemed to be more naturally favoured by society than females.The level of education,wealth quintile,saved in past 12 months for farm/business purposes,sent domestic remittances in the past 12 months,paid utility bills in the past 12 months,and received wage payments in the past 12 months are the factors explaining the gender gaps in Nigeria.Thus the government and other relevant stakeholders should encourage females along these factors.

Relationships among Bean Yield Traits in Some Cacao(Theobroma cacao L.)Genotypes

Cacao(Theobroma cacao L.)produces the cocoa bean,a major foreign exchange earner for most West African countries and many smallholders’enterprise.Ample production of cacao is however limited by declining yield among other factors.This study aimed at determining the correlations of the phenotypic traits that were related to the yield of the cacao genotypes.Nine new cacao hybrids were produced from some high-yielding parents in the research farm of Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria,Ibadan and evaluated from 2012 through 2014 in Owena(7°11′N,5°1′E),Ondo state,Nigeria.Analysis of variance,character correlations and path coefficient analysis were used in the analysis of the relationships among the genotypes.Analysis of variance revealed significant(p≤0.05)variations for number of rows,weight of beans per fruit,fresh weight of one bean,weight of one bean after fermentation,pod value,dry bean length,weight of beans(per fruit)after fermentation and pod index.The study concluded that significant genotypic and phenotypic correlations existed among some of the pairs of the fruit and bean characters with one another and with pod index,suggesting that the contribution of these characters is either positive or negative to growth and yield in the cacao genotype,and that fruit and bean traits are determinants of bean yield in cacao.