http://irepo.futminna.edu.ng:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/62 2026-06-16T02:10:20Z http://irepo.futminna.edu.ng:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/31367 Title: Influence of Phosphate-Solubilizing Bacteria on Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Growth and Suppression of Sheath Blight Caused by Rhizoctonia solani Kühn Authors: Shuaibu, A. M.; BELLO, Ismail Mohammed; Jahun, B. M.; Daudu, O. A. Y. Abstract: Rice (Oryza sativa L.) remains one of the world’s most critical staple crops, providing the main source of dietary calories for over half of the global population. In Nigeria, as in many developing nations, demand for rice continues to rise due to rapid population expansion and shifting dietary preferences. Despite this growing demand, rice yield is still limited by numerous biotic and abiotic constraints. This study assessed the effects of phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) on the growth performance and suppression of leaf sheath blight disease in rice varieties infected with Rhizoctonia solani, the pathogen responsible for the disease. Three rice varieties Kwandala, FARO 44, and FARO 52 were subjected to single and combined inoculations of Pseudomonas fluorescens, Bacillus subtilis, and Bacillus thuringiensis, in addition to negative and positive control treatments. Experiments were conducted under greenhouse conditions using a completely randomized block design. The findings revealed that Pseudomonas fluorescens consistently resulted in the greatest improvements in chlorophyll contents, plant height, and tiller number at 30, 60, and 90 days after sowing. All phosphate-solubilizing bacteria treatments significantly lowered disease incidence and severity relative to the control, with Pseudomonas fluorescens achieving the lowest disease incidence (16%) and severity (0.94 cm), second only to the fungicide (Benlate). Significant varietal variation was also observed, as FARO 52 recorded the highest chlorophyll contents, while FARO 44 exhibited the highest plant height. Overall, phosphate solubilizing bacteria particularly Pseudomonas fluorescens substantially enhanced rice growth and effectively mitigated leaf sheath blight infection, demonstrating their promise as environmentally sustainable bio-fertilizers and bio-control agents against sheath blight for improved rice production. 2025-12-01T00:00:00Z http://irepo.futminna.edu.ng:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/31365 Title: Ethnomedicinal and natural phytochemicals of Guiera senegalensis J.F. Gmel in Aliero, Kebbi State Nigeria Authors: Adepoju, O. A.; BELLO, Ismail Mohammed; Keta, J. N.,; Imonikhe, M. A.; Aminu, M.; Abdullahi, F. Y. Abstract: The importance of plants in meeting basic human needs is not a new field of research worldwide today due to their diversity in nature, medicinal properties, aromatic substances and metabolites since prehistoric times. In this study, through an administered semi structured questionnaire the traditional uses of Guiera senegalensis were obtained and analyzed the phytochemical composition using standard methods in Aliero. G. senegalensis was shown to be a native and traditional plant used for the treatment of various diseases such as: diarrhea, dysentery, fever, malaria, impotence, conjunctivitis, abdominal pain, migraine, pain, cough, noxious seizures, epilepsy and cataract in the study area. Based on the part G. senegalensis, leaves were the most frequently mentioned (45.50%), roots (27.30%), berries, galls and mistletoes were each had the less frequency used in treated diseases by residents (9.10%). Plant compounds detected in this study were tannins, saponin glycosides, cardiac glycosides, anthraquinones, steroids, essential oils, saponin glycosides and alkaloids but flavonoid was not detected. The presence of these essential phytochemical compounds justified the use of G. senegalensis as a plant medicine. Therefore, identification of phytochemical compounds using high chromatographic techniques (HPLC/LC/UFLC or GC) analysis to elucidate bioactive compounds presence in leaves of G. senegalencsis. 2025-04-01T00:00:00Z http://irepo.futminna.edu.ng:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/31363 Title: Incidence of Pathogenic Fungal Species Associated with Sweet Potato Tubers (Ipomoea batatas Lam) in Gwandu Local Government Authors: BELLO, Ismail Mohammed; Aminu, M.; Keta, M. N.; Keta, J. N.,; Patrick, R. J. Abstract: Sweet potatoes have become an increasing popular food source in Kebbi State due to its nutritional benefits, medicinal value, and economic importance. Fungal species plays a pivotal role in declineit production and promoting food insecurity of this tuber crop. This research is aimed for isolating and identifying fungi associated with sweet potato tubers (Ipomoea batatas Lam) using needle mount method. The pathogenicity studies revealed the incidence of three fungal species: Rhizopus oryzae, which produced the highest virulence zone (73 mm), while Aspergillus niger and Alternaria spp. each produced 13.5 mm virulence zones.The rotten tissues yielded an identical fungus with the original fungus inoculated. Isolated fungal species causes significant losses of sweet potato tubers both before and after harvest. Hence, there is a need to develop alternative disease control methods using plants that may be effective against the isolated species 2025-11-01T00:00:00Z http://irepo.futminna.edu.ng:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/31362 Title: Survey on Infestation and Damage of Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Some Maize Fields in Kano, Nigeria Authors: BELLO, Ismail Mohammed; Shuaibu, A. M.; Ashir, H. I.; Jahun, B. M.; Adebola, M. O. Abstract: Spodoptera frugiperda (fall armyworm), an invasive pest native to the Americas, was first reported in Africa in 2016 and has since spread to over 44 countries across the continent. To confirm its presence and assess infestation levels and damage severity in Kano State, Nigeria, a field survey was conducted in selected Local Government Areas during both the dry and rainy seasons. The survey covered maize farms in Kura, Gwarzo, Tofa and Minjibir, using a random sampling method. Results indicated higher infestation and damage severity during the dry season, with the highest infestation rate recorded in Gwarzo (96%), and followed by Kura (89%). The damage severity was highest in Kura (8.0), followed by Gwarzo (6.8) on a 9.0 scale. In the rainy season, the highest infestation and damage severity were observed in Minjibir (75%, 5.35) and Gwarzo (51%, 4.25) respectively. These findings confirm the widespread presence and significant impact of Spodoptera frugiperda in the study area. Regular surveillance, monitoring and the implementation of integrated pest management strategies are recommended to mitigate the pest`s adverse effect on maize production. The results may also inform policy decisions regarding Spodoptera frugiperda management in Kano State. 2025-01-30T00:00:00Z