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Maize (Zea mays L.) is a critical food and cash crop in Sierra Leone, yet national yields remain far below potential, partly due to reliance on non-standardized plant spacing practices among smallholder farmers. This study evaluated the effect of four plant spacing arrangements, viz: T1 (75 cm × 25 cm), T2 (60 cm × 30 cm), T3 (50 cm × 25 cm), and T4 (35 cm × 35 cm, control) to explore on the vegetative growth, yield components, and grain yield of maize at the Faculty of Agriculture Experimental Farm, Ernest Bai Koroma University of Science and Technology, Makeni, Bombali District, Sierra Leone. A Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four replications was used, and treatment means were compared using the Least Significant Difference (LSD) test at the 5% probability level.
Results showed that plant height and Leaf Area Index (LAI) were significantly higher under narrower spacing (T3 and T4), with the control producing the tallest plants (158.8 cm) and highest mean LAI (5.10), while whole plant weight showed no consistent density-dependent pattern. Individual ear-level traits – ear length, kernel row number, ear wet weight, and 1000-grain mass – were consistently superior under wider spacing (T1 and T2), reflecting reduced inter-plant competition. However, grain yield followed the opposite trend: the denser treatments (T3 and T4) significantly outyielded the wider-spaced treatments by 42–45%, achieving 5,420–5,440 kg/ha compared with 3,750–3,830 kg/ha, demonstrating that greater plant population per unit area compensated for smaller individual ears.
The study concludes that total plant population, rather than row-to-intra-row geometry, was the primary determinant of both canopy development and final grain yield. Closer, equidistant spacing (50 cm × 25 cm or 35 cm × 35 cm) is recommended for maximizing grain yield per hectare, while wider spacing remains preferable where individual ear size and grain quality are prioritized, such as for fresh-market or premium-grain production.
The research investigates the effects of road network on agricultural productivity in Bumban Section of the Briwa Chiefdom Bombali District, North Eastern Province of Sierra Leone in a bid to reinforce impacts of roads in agricultural development. The objectives of the study were as follows: to explore the challenges related to road infrastructure and distance influencing agricultural productivity in Bumban section; to assess the effect of road network on pre-cultivation, cultivation, and post-harvest decisions in Bumban section; to determine the effect of road network on product disposal in Bumban section. A descriptive survey design was adopted utilizing a population sample of 53 farmers of Bumban. Data collected by questionnaires was analysed using SPSS 26HS software. Results showed that: The selling problems of farm products and predominant use of domestic tools were the factors of low farm productivity eroding the impetus to invest on road network. In addition, lack of support from government was a greater cause for prevalence of poor road network compared with low farm yield. Majority of the farmers traverse long farm-to-road distances, carry headloads of products resulting in delay in products delivery to market, while covey products to market via motorbikes at high fares and froth with accidents – occasioning product wastage and spoilage. These were shown to lead to lower disposable market units and farm returns. The researcher concluded that despite being agriculturally endowed, Bumban succumbs to low agricultural productivity owing to inadequate road network and the associated inadequate predisposed pre-cultivation, cultivation, post-harvest and marketing decisions and options. The researcher recommended that to significantly improve agricultural productivity Bumban Section and Bombali District, rural road network must be treated as a primary factor of production rather than a supplementary amenity. The government and stakeholders must shift from simply establishing roads to actively upgrading and maintaining them.
Haryana has an important source of drinking water, irrigation and industrial supply in ground water. However, the quality of groundwater varies considerably throughout the state because of variations in geology, geomorphology, rainfall, aquifer characteristics, agricultural intensity, urbanization and groundwater extraction. This mini-review compiles the findings of government reports and peer-reviewed studies on the spatial distribution, sources and impacts of salinity, fluoride and nitrate contamination in Haryana. Evidence available suggests that relatively fresh groundwater is generally found in the north-eastern districts and areas affected by river and canal recharge. Saline and sodic groundwater is more common in the arid and semi-arid western, south-western and poorly drained central districts. Parts of Panipat, Bhiwani, Hisar, Jhajjar, Rohtak, Mahendragarh and adjoining areas have reported fluoride enrichment. Nitrate contamination is more spatially diffuse and is mostly associated with fertilizer application, livestock waste, sewage leakage, septic systems and poor sanitation. These contaminants reduce the safety of drinking-water, increase non-carcinogenic health risk and affect agricultural productivity through soil salinization, sodicity and ion toxicity. Children may be especially vulnerable to health risks from fluoride and nitrate. Hence, Haryana requires aquifer-specific monitoring, village-level water-quality mapping, conjunctive use of canal and groundwater, regulation of agrochemical inputs, managed aquifer recharge, and locally appropriate water-treatment systems. The decline in ground water quality in Haryana should be viewed as an integrated problem of geography, environment, agriculture & public health, not just as a water treatment issue.
Excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation can cause skin damage, premature aging, and skin cancer. This study aimed to formulate and evaluate a marine herbal sunscreen stick using Kappaphycus alvarezii, zinc oxide, and natural ingredients such as beeswax, shea butter, coconut oil, carrot seed oil, and vitamin E. The prepared formulations were evaluated for physical appearance, pH, spreadability, antioxidant activity, anti-inflammatory activity, and Sun Protection Factor (SPF). The optimized formulation showed good physical properties, satisfactory spreadability, a skin-friendly pH (6–7), 56% antioxidant activity, 61% anti-inflammatory activity, and an SPF value of 15. The results indicate that the marine herbal sunscreen stick provides effective UV protection and has promising antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Therefore, it may serve as a safe and eco-friendly alternative to conventional sunscreens.
Objective: To formulate and evaluate a marine herbal sunscreen stick containing Kappaphycus alvarezii and natural ingredients for photoprotective efficacy.
This study investigated the effects of sublethal concentrations of aqueous crude leaf extract of Vernonia amygdalina on oxidative stress biomarkers, liver histopathology, and histomorphometry in juvenile Clarias gariepinus. Juvenile African catfish were exposed to 0.00, 0.40, 0.80, and 1.60 g/L of the extract for 56 days in a static-renewal bioassay system. Liver superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and malondialdehyde (MDA) were determined using standard biochemical procedures. Liver tissues were also examined using routine paraffin-wax processing and haematoxylin and eosin staining, while histomorphometric parameters, including hepatocyte diameter, hepatic cytosurface area, hepatic nuclear surface area, and hepatic surface area, were measured using image analysis software. The results showed a concentration-related reduction in SOD activity, with the lowest value recorded at 1.60 g/L. GPx activity varied significantly among the treatment groups (p < 0.05), whereas the variation in MDA was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Histological examination revealed normal hepatic architecture in the control fish, mild central venous and sinusoidal congestion at lower concentrations, and moderate sinusoidal congestion with diffuse hepatocellular degeneration at 1.60 g/L. Significant alterations (p < 0.05) were also observed in the measured liver histomorphometric parameters. The findings demonstrate that prolonged exposure to sublethal concentrations of V. amygdalina leaf extract can induce oxidative imbalance and structural alterations in the liver of juvenile C. gariepinus. Therefore, the use of V. amygdalina as a piscicide or pesticide near aquatic ecosystems should be carefully regulated to minimise potential adverse effects on fish health and aquatic biodiversity.