Response of Pigeon Pea Landraces [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.] to Exogenous Application of Plant Growth Regulators.

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.

Potential Effect of Some Local Antimalarial Herbs on Reproductive Functions of Male Albino Rat.

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

Efficacy of Ascorbic Acid in Reducing Glyphosate-Induced Toxicity in Rats.

Aim: Humans and animals interact with their environments on a daily basis and, as a consequence, are exposed to a broad spectrum of synthesized chemicals present in the food they eat, the air they breathe and the water they drink including glyphosate. This study was aimed at investigating the effects of glyphosate on the sperm dynamics of male albino rats and the protective effects of ascorbic acid. Methods: Twenty five mature male albino rats were weighed and divided into five groups in a completely randomized design (CRD). Group 1 rats served as the control. Rats in groups 2 and 4 received 250ml/kg and 500ml/kg of glyphosate while groups 3 and 5 rats were administered with 250ml/kg and 500ml/kg of glyphosate and 200mg/kg of ascorbic acid, respectively, which were administered orally using oral gavages. The treatment regimen lasted for 65 days. Results: Our results showed that there were significant adverse effects (P<0.05) of glyphosate treatment on sperm parameters and the cyto-architecture of the gonad, which showed disruption in the seminiferous tubules, necrotic germinal epithelium and clumped Leydig cells. However, administering the rats with ascorbic acid caused significant ameliorating effects on the parameters investigated. Conclusion: Succinctly, glyphosate exposure to animals is detrimental to their reproductive physiology, including the cellular integrity of the gonads. This not notwithstanding, administering the affected animals with ascorbic acids might reduce the toxicity inflicted by the glyphosate.