Project Abstract

<p> </p><p><strong>ABSTRACT</strong></p><p>Experimentswere conducted to evaluate the effect of <em>Alectra</em>&nbsp;<em>vogelii</em>&nbsp;(Benth) aqueous extract</p><p>on the growth of cowpea (<em>Vigna</em>&nbsp;<em>unguiculata</em>&nbsp;(L.) Walp) varieties. The laboratory screening experiment was conducted at the Deparment of Biological Sciences and the pot experiment was carried out at the Institute for Agricultural Research, Ahmadu Bell Univesity, Zaria. The qualitative and quantitative phytochemical screening of <em>Alectra</em>&nbsp;<em>vogelii</em>&nbsp;plants was conducted at National Research Institute and Chemical Technology, Zaria. The physico-chemical analysis of the soil used was carried out in the Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. In the laboratory screening the effects of <em>Alectra</em>&nbsp;<em>vogelii</em>aqueous extract was evaluated at 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100 g/l. The parameters taken in the laboratory experiment include seed germination on daily basis for 10 days, shoot and root length (cm) and seedlings weight (g) of cowpea were taken 10 day after planting. In the pot experiment 0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 g/l of <em>Alectra</em>&nbsp;<em>vogelii</em>&nbsp;aqueous extract was tested. Parameters taken in the pot experiment include the number of leaves, plant height (cm), number of root nodules, shoot and root fresh and dry weight (g) of the cowpea at 5, 7 and 9 weeks after planting. The phytochemical composition of <em>Alectra</em>&nbsp;<em>vogelii</em>&nbsp;plant showed the presence of saponins with the highest percentage (46.50 %), followed by flavonoids (16.04 %), tannins (0.247 %), cyanogenic glycosides (0.212 %) and the least was alkaloids (0.08 %). <em>Alectra</em>&nbsp;<em>vogelii</em>&nbsp;aqueous extract at 25-100 g/l significantly reduced cowpea seeds germination, root and shoot lengths and seedling weight at 10 days afteqar planting in the laboratory screening test in all the cowpea varieties. In the pot experiment, <em>Alectra</em>&nbsp;<em>vogelii</em>aqueous extract treatments at 50 - 200 g/l reduced significantly all the growth parameters (root and shoot fresh and dry weight, plant height, number of leaves and root nodules) in cowpea varieties compared with the control. This reduction was concentration dependent and was highest at 200 g/l <em>Alectra</em>&nbsp;extract treatment. In some occasions, growth values under 50 g/l <em>Alectra</em>&nbsp;extract was comparable with that of the control and also that under 150 g/l comparable with that of 200 g/l <em>Alectra</em>&nbsp;extract treatment. In conclusion, the laboratory and pot experiments showed that,<em>Alectra</em>&nbsp;<em>vogelii</em>aqueous extract reduced seed germination and all the growth parameters of cowpea varieties. Therefore, it is necessary to remove <em>Alectra</em>&nbsp;<em>vogelii</em>&nbsp;residues from farms as they can inhibit the germination and growth of cowpea due to the allelochemicals that<em>Alectra</em>&nbsp;<em>vogelii</em>&nbsp;plant contains.</p> <br><p></p>

Project Overview

<p> </p><p><br></p><p><strong>1.0</strong>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<strong>INTRODUCTION</strong></p><p><strong>1.1</strong>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<strong>Classification</strong>&nbsp;<strong>of</strong>&nbsp;<strong>Cowpea</strong></p><p>Cowpea (<em>Vigna</em>&nbsp;<em>unguiculata</em>&nbsp;(L.) Walp) It belongs to the Family Fabaceae, sub-family</p><p>Faboiceae &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; (Papillionoideae), &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Order &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Fabales, &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Genus &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; <em>Vigna</em>, &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; and</p><p>Species<em>unguiculata</em>Ogunkanmi <em>et</em>&nbsp;<em>al</em>. (2006). It was reported by Karanja<em>et</em>&nbsp;<em>al</em>. (2010)</p><p>that<em>unguiculata</em>is a Latin word for “with a small claw”, which reflect the small stalks</p><p>on the flower petals.All cultivated cowpeas are found within the universally accepted</p><p><em>Vigna</em>&nbsp;<em>unguiculata</em>, subspecies <em>unguiculata</em>&nbsp;classification, which is then commonly</p><p>divided into four cultivar groups:<em>unguiculata</em>, biflora, textilis and <em>sesquipedalis</em></p><p>(Tarawali <em>et</em>&nbsp;<em>al</em>., 2002). Some of the common names for cultivated cowpeas include</p><p>black-</p> <br><p></p>