Browsing by Author "Afe, A. I."

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    Assessment of Land degradation vulnerability of University Teaching and Research farm, Malete, using geospatial technique
    (NOUN Journal of Agricultural Research and Development (NJARD), 2025-06-30) Alabi, K. O; Abubakar A. G.; Tobore, A. O.; Afe, A. I.
    Vulnerability Assessment of Malete soil to degradation was carried out through the use of spatial techniques. The assessment of physical, chemical, and biological degradation of soils as well as the causes of this degradation is covered. Low inherent fertility status of these soils was found by analysis of chemical and physical parameters. Using satellite data, four main land cover classifications were identified. According to the results of the land cover changes, cropland and water bodies have expanded by 24% (5.3 sq m) and 32% (7.1 sq km), respectively, while fallow land and sparse vegetation have reduced by 20% (4.5 sq km) and 23% (5.2 sq km), respectively. The vulnerability assessment map showed that only the Operation Feed Yourself farm (OFY) block (Red Signature (6.4-7.0%)) has a low sensitivity to land degradation, followed by blocks 3 (Lemon signature (7.5-8.1%), 4 (Orange signature (7.0-7.5%), and block 2A (Green signature (8.1-9.0%)). A sustainable, non-degrading agricultural system can be maintained by better planning for soil conservation in high degradation risk locations. There should be more education for farmers about the kind of land they farm. According to the study, land should be given some time to rest so that nutrients can be regained. It is advisable to promote the usage of organic or animal matter as a natural fertilizer. Planting grasses and leguminous plants will improve the soil's fertility in the area. This is true because it always costs more to restore damaged soil or land to its original productive usage than it does to stop it from happening in the first place.
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    ASSESSMENT OF SORGHUM/OKRA INTERCROP PRODUCTIVITY, COMPETITIVE BEHAVIOR AND PROFITABILITY IN SOUTHERN GUINEA SAVANNAH AGROECOLOGY, NIGERIA
    (Reviews In Food And Agriculture (RFNA), 2025-01-15) Afe, A. I.; Alagbe, Y.L.
    Sorghum-okra intercropped at different population ratios and introduction periods were studied during the 2021 cropping season. Four population densities of okra (100 %, 75 %, 50 %, and 25 %) were introduced to sorghum three times [ same time (ST), two weeks before planting (2WBP) and two weeks after planting (2WAP)] in a factorial combination in a randomized complete block in split plot, replicated three times. Sole sorghum and okra were included in the treatments as a check. Regardless of population ratios, the yield of sorghum increased as the population density of okra decreased and with further delayed at the time of introduction. Land equivalent ratio (LER) demonstrated intercropping advantage at all population ratios and time of introduction. The area time equivalent ratio (ATER) index, however, indicated no meaningful intercropping advantage. Competitive ratio (CR) showed that okra was more competitive than sorghum when full populations of both crops were intercropped at all times of introduction. Interestingly, however, reduction in the population of okra to 75 % and below, sorghum was more competitive than okra. The Aggressivity (A) values were positive for okra and negative for sorghum when it was planted two weeks ahead of sorghum (2WBP). Monetary advantage (MA) was positive in all the treatments. The discrepancy and inconsistency among the indices for assessing intercropping efficiency suggest that using one index may be misleading and hence, an appropriate index should be used based on the objective of the grower
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    EFFECTS OF COW DUNG MANURE AND SINGLE SUPERPHOSPHATE ON SOIL PHOSPHORUS AVAILABILITY, GROWTH AND YIELD OF MAIZE IN A GLEYSOL OF KABBA, NIGERIA
    (Faculty of Agriculture, University of Uyo, Akwabom State, Nigeria, 2016-09-25) Ogundare1, S. K.; Afe, A. I.; Kadiri, W. O. J.; Etukudo, O. O.
    Field experiments were conducted to determine the effect of cow dung amended with single superphosphate on phosphorus availability, growth and yield of maize in a Gleysol. The treatments consisted of sole application of cow dung 10 t ha-1 and reduced levels of cow dung (2, 4 and 6 t ha-1) combined with varying levels of single superphosphate (30, 20 and 10 kg ha-1) fertilizer. Significant treatment effects were observed in plant height and leaf area whereas stem girth was not significantly affected. Leaf phosphorus (P) concentrations were significantly affected by the amendments and the percentage changes ranged from 0.17 - 0.48 and 0.23 - 0.43 in 2011 and 2012 respectively. The P content of maize leaf significantly improved under combined application of cow dung and SSP compared with sole cow dung application and control. The complementary use of cow dung at 4 t per ha + 20 kg per ha SSP produced the highest seed yields of maize (3.21 and 2.56 t per ha) in 2011 and 2012 respectively. It is therefore recommended that the use of cow dung (4 t per ha) combined with 20kg SSP per ha be adopted for maize cultivation in the study area
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    Evaluation of sulphuric acid concentrations and mechanical scarification as pre-germination treatments in date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.)
    (Horticultural Society of Nigeria, 2017) Afe, A. I.; Ogundare, S.K.
    An experiment was carried out at the Laboratory of College of Agriculture, Kwara State University, Malete to investigate the effects of pre germination treatments on date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L). The treatments were concentrations of sulphuric acid at 100%, 60%, 40%, scarification, and the control. The treatments were arranged in a completely randomized design and replicated three times. Germination percentage differs significantly among the treatments. Germination commenced earlier in treated seeds with sulphuric acid (40% and 60%) and scarification methods. Highest germination percentage (83.34%) was obtained in the treated seeds with 40% sulphuric acid at 14 days. This treatment completed germination in 21 days and was found to be appropriate for breaking dormancy in date palm.
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    GROWTH AND YIELD OF SORGHUM AS INFLUENCED BY POPULATION DENSITY AND TIME OF INTRODUCTION OF COMPONENT OKRA
    (2025-02) Afe, A. I.; Alagbe, Y.L; Awoniyi, O.A
    A field trial was carried out at the Teaching and Research Farm of Kwara State University, Malete, and the National Centre for Agricultural Mechanization (NCAM) to investigate the growth, yield, and intercropping advantage as influenced by population density and time of introduction in sorghum/okra intercropping. Four population densities of okra (100 %, 75 %, 50 %, and 25 %) were intercropped with the full population of sorghum at the same time (ST), two weeks before (2WBP) and two weeks after (2WAP). Sole sorghum and okra were included in the treatments as a check. The treatments were arranged as 3 x 6 factorial combinations in a randomized complete block in a split-plot and replicated thrice. Plant height, leaf area, grain, and fruit yield of sorghum and okra were influenced by population density and time of introduction. Regardless of population ratios, the yield of sorghum increased as the population density of component okra decreased and with delayed in the time of introduction. The lowest grain yields 1,534.58 kg/ha and 1,327.83 kg/ha respectively for Malete and NCAM were obtained where the full population ratio of both crops was intercropped. Intercropping advantage as measured by land equivalent ratio (LER) and land equivalent coefficient (LEC) indices demonstrated intercropping advantage at all population ratios and time of introduction. All population ratios and time of introduction tested demonstrated economic advantage as observed in positive monetary advantage index (MAI) values. Simultaneous planting and planting sorghum two weeks before okra at a full population of both crops is recommended for adoption in sorghum/okra intercropping.
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    Land Use Change and Its Impact on Soil Carbon Pools: A Case Study of Teaching & Research Farm, Malete and Sobi Forest, Ilorin
    (East African Journal of Environment and Natural Resources, 2025-11-27) Alabi, K. O.,; Hassan, F. I.,; Afe, A. I.; Saka, H. A.
    Land use change has emerged as a significant environmental concern, particularly in terms of soil carbon pools and ecosystem sustainability. This study investigated the impact of land use change on soil carbon pools through a comparison of soils from the Teaching and Research Farm, Malete (cultivated land) and the Sobi Forest, Ilorin (undisturbed forest land). Soil samples were collected at three depths (0–20 cm, 20–40 cm, and 40–60 cm) and analysed for particle size distribution, pH, electrical conductivity, bulk density, organic and inorganic carbon, and labile and non-labile carbon fractions. Results showed that forest soils had a sandy clay loam texture with lower bulk density (0.86 – 1.10 g/cm³) and higher organic carbon (0.24 -0.82 %), whereas cultivated soils had a sandy loam texture with higher bulk density (1.08–1.26 g/cm³) and lower organic carbon (0.14 -0.48 %). Total carbon was significantly higher in forest soils (7.46 % at 40–60 cm) compared to cultivated soils (5.65 % at 40–60 cm). Labile carbon also followed this pattern, with forest soils recording 1.66 mg/g at the surface layer versus 1.24 mg/g for cultivated soils. These findings highlight that forest-to-agriculture conversion leads to soil carbon depletion, structural degradation, and potential increases in atmospheric CO₂. The study underscores the importance of sustainable land management practices to preserve soil health and mitigate climate change.