ABSTRACT
Aim: Optimizing plant growth regulators in the manipulation of growth physiology, development and seed yield of pigeon pea landraces is cardinal, especially as it complements other improvement techniques. The research was aimed at evaluating the effect of IAA, NAA and paclobutrazol singly and in combination, but especially paclobutrazol in reducing plant height. Methods: Thirty (30) seeds each of brown “Fiofio” [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.] were soaked in 0, 100, and 150mg/l concentration of IAA, NAA, paclobutrazol, paclobutrazol + IAA and paclobutrazol + NAA, respectively for 48 hours. Results: Results obtained revealed that treating pigeon pea seeds with paclobutrazol caused reduction in plant height and inter-node length, which did not translate to higher yield. However, plants raised from pigeon pea seeds soaked in 100 and 150 mg/l paclobutrazol + NAA did excellently well in both yield and yield – related traits. Conclusion: The implication of these findings is that though treating seeds with paclobutrazol caused significant reduction in plant height and increased branch numbers, it needed to interact with NAA to cause holistic improvement, especially in seed yield.
ABSTRACT
In this study, stem bark extracts of Cylicodiscus gabunensis, Nauclea latifolia and Araliopsis soyauxii were investigated for possible adverse effects on male reproductive organs and sex hormones of male albino rats of about eleven weeks weighing between 120-180g. The total of twenty eight rats were divided into seven groups (A, B, C, D, E, F and G) with four rats in each group. Two levels of each plant extract 125mg/kg body weight (BW) and 225 mg/kg BW (low and high dose) were administered to the rats by oral intubation. Group A served as the control and were fed with normal commercial feed only, group B and C were fed with 125 and 225mg/kg BW of C. gabunensis, group D and E were fed with 125 and 225mg/kg BW of N. latifolia while F and G were fed with 125 and 225mg/kg BW of A. soyauxii. The results of the phytochemical screening showed significant differences (p<0.05) in the bioactive components of the three plants. The results obtained on the reproductive organs showed no significant effect (p>0.05) on organ weight (testes and epididymides) semen pH, sperm count and sperm head abnormality among the different groups but there were differences (p<0.05) in sperm motility and sperm viability in the different groups of the rat. On the hormonal analysis, the sex hormones under this study were generally decreased (p<0.05) as the concentration of each extract