Department of Botany

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Department of Botany

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Open Access
Nitrogen Fixation by Soil Algae of Temperate and Tropical Soils
(Plenum Press, 1977) Stewart, W. D. P; Sampaio, M. J.; Isichei, A. O.; Slvester-Bradley, R.
Blue-green algae are common components of the microbial flora of the soil in many parts of the world (7, 8, 18, 30). In the tropics most attention has been paid to their role in rice paddy soils where, free-living (26, 27) and in symbiotic association with the water-fern Azolla (3, 19, 21, 36) they contribute substantial amounts of nitrogen to the ecosystem. In this paper we present information on the occurrence, activity, and factors affecting soil algae from tropical savanna regions of Nigeria and from the Amazon region of Brazil. The findings are compared with observations made on algae from temperate soils in Scotland. These studies complement ones from tropical (e. g. 22, 26, 27, 37) and temperate (e.g. 6, 9, 12, 28) regions.
Open Access
Nitrogen Loss by Burning from Nigerian Grassland Ecosystems
(Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, 1980) Isichei, A. O.; Sanford, W. W.; Rosswall, T.
Nitrogen loss by burning from natural grassland ecosystems in Western Nigeria was studied over a two-year period in three areas, including sites of Andropogon-Hyparrhenia - Schizachyrium-Brachiaria grassland in derived, Southern Guinea and Northern Guinea savanna. The production of aboveground herbaceous material and litter fall of leaves, wood and fruit/seed was estimated and the nitrogen content just prior to burning determined. Final estimates of from 12 to 15 kg ha-1 yr-1 of nitrogen lost by burning were obtained. it is suggested that such loss may be replaced to a considerable extent by rain and blue-green algal crust fixation.
Open Access
Nitrogen Fixation by Blue-Green Algal Soil Crusts in Nigerian Savanna
(1980) Isichei, A. O.
Blue-green algae, many of which are known to be nitrogen fixers, occur on the surface of the soil as crusts. Crusts are masses of algal filaments that grow on top of each other. These blue-green algal crusts were collected from all of the savanna zones of Nigeria in order to estimate the quantitative role they may play in the nitrogen economy of savanna ecosystems. Algae of the genus Scytonema, which are nitrogen fixers, were dominant in all the crust samples collected. Using the acetylene reduction assay, it was found that the crust samples fixed nitrogen 24 h after rewetting and were affected by pH, temperature, light and moisture variations. If sufficient light were available for near maximum photosynthesis, with an algal cover of the soil surface of about 30 % and mean to maximum-fixation during 70 %of the rainy season of 180 days of 10-hour day-length, from 3.3 to 9.2 kg ha-' yr-' of nitrogen would be fixed. This amount would replace much of the nitrogen lost from the grass standing crop as a result of annual burning of the savanna.
Open Access
Nitrogen in Savanna Grass and Litter
(1982) Isichei, Augustine O.
grasses are low in nitrogen. This is relayed to the low nitrogen content of the soils: there is decreasing nitrogen in the soil northwards and this is reflected in the grasses. Even in the same environment some species are better accumulators than others. Possible reasons are advanced for this. The Andropogon species and Beckeropsis uniseta are the best known accumulators. There is a well marked seasonality in nitrogen concentration in grass. The below-ground parts have their highest concentration in the dry season, while in the above-ground parts the highest concentration is at the beginning of growth. Litter is important because it is a major means of nitrogen re-cycling. Its pattern of fall and decay in the savanna is discussed. It is emphasized that most of the litter fall is after the annual fires. Nitrogen content of litter varies from site to site but does not show significant seasonal difference.
Open Access
Primary Production in the Savanna
(1982) Isichei, Augustine O.
It is emphasized that there is a dearth of information on primary production in the savanna in spite of savanna occupying nearly 80% of the West African land surface. Known values from the literature of annual primary production are presented. Values range from 150 to 1800g m-2. This range is not totally encompassing as primary production is strongly influenced by local conditions. The methods in use for measuring primary production are reviewed and their applicability to the savanna examined. The factors that affect primary production in the savanna are enumerated and discussed.
Open Access
Relationship of Woody Plants to Herbaceous Production in Nigerian Savanna
(1982) Sanford, William W.; Usman, Sugei; Obot, Emmanuel O.; Isichei, Augustine O.; Wari, Musa
Evidence is presented that a light, high tree canopy leads to greater production of grasses in the Nigerian Guinea savanna than either full exposure or dense canopy. Furthermore, some shading provides a microenvironment where such favoured species as the Andropogons replace such undesirable species as Schizachyrium sanguineum and Hyparrhenia species. The role of trees in open rangeland in relation to mineral cycling and soil maintenance is briefly discussed. It is recommended that the common practice of clearing all trees to improve rangeland is stopped and a low density of large trees, preferably legumes, be maintained.
Open Access
Nitrogen Concentration in the Major Grasses of the Derived and Guinea Savanna Zones of Nigeria in Relation to Season and Site
(1983) Isichei, Augustine O.
The concentration of total Kjeldahl N in above- and below-ground grass samples was monitored at five Nigerian savanna sites over 3 years. Significant variation, even in the same species, was found from plot to plot, with the highest concentrations in the samples from early-burnt Derived savanna and the lowest from northern Guinea samples. This may be related to soil N concentrations as a significant positive relationship was found between soil and plant concentrations. Nitrogen concentration in above-ground grass biomass declined almost exponentially from flushing through the dry season, whereas below-ground N concentration increased with the approach of the dry season. Two shade-favouring grasses, Andropogon tectorum and Beckeropsis uniseto were found to have the highest N concentrations above-ground.
Open Access
Seasonal Succession in a Small Isolated Rock Dome Plant Community in Western Nigeria
(1984) Isichei, Augustine O; Longe, Peter A.
On the slopes of one of the inselbergs within the Univ. of Ife Campus, Western Nigeria (7o32'N, 4o31'E) are islands of vegetation completely separated from each other by expanses of bare rock. The pattern of seasonal succession in one small vegetation island was studied by weekly estimation of species importance. Species importance was estimated by censusing all individuals and by measurements of cover. At the beginning of the growing season the island is dominated by ephemerals which are later replaced by drought enduring perennials. The number of individuals and species and species diversity and abundance patterns on the island over the growing season show a specific pattern which probably occurs every season.
Open Access
Guinea Savanna Structure and Land-use in Northwestern Nigeria.
(Obafemi Awolowo University, 1985) Ero, Isaac Izogie; Sanford, W. W.
The Guinea savanna of northwestern Nigeria was characterised using parameters of climate, soil and vegetation. The scale of variability of the attributes measured in the four localities - Yelwa, Mokwa, Borgu and Jebba - was assessed and found in the case of soil and vegetation to be significant on at least a hectare to hectare scale. Density of all species, the most abundant species, size class distribution, and pattern of woody elements were estimated. Principal component analysis was employed to explore the correlation and variability of soil attributes (sand, silt, clay, organic carbon) and vegetation characteristics between plots and localities. Broad homogeneity in edaphic features was shown, while marked differences existed between plots in each location. The vegetation was heterogeneous in respect of most physiognomic/structural attributes, although considerable homogeneity was observed at Jebba and some at Mokwa. The relative physiognomic/structural heterogeneity was shown to parallel that of soil attributes and in some cases to be directly related to specific soil attributes. The stability and resilience of the sample plots were assessed. The Markovian prediction model gave varying values of weighted relative change showing that successional or maturity class differences are not mainly dependent upon differences in species composition. High diversity indices are related to stability if log-normal species distribution indicated stability, but if geometric species distribution indicates stability then stability is associated with low diversity. It is concluded that land-use and vegetation mapping must done on a local scale permitting the application of management is to delineated land units. The attributes concerning ability (functional/compositional stability) vary in relation to specific land use and should be accordingly assessed. Recommendations are made for such assessment together with listings of parameters most practical for land-use planning in the Guinea savanna.
Open Access
Ecology and Biology of Piliostigma Thonningii (Schum.) Milne-Redhead in the Guinea Savanna Zone of Nigeria.
(Obafemi Awolowo University, 1985) Mbaekwe, Ebenezer Ike; Isichei, A. O.; Sanford, W. W.
Eighteen plots in selected sites from the Mokwa, Kainji and Yelwa areas of the Nigerian Guinea savanna were sampled systematically for vegetation attributes. Four belt transects in each plot were sampled to estimate the density of all woody individuals greater than 1m high, density of Piliostigma thonningii, total basal area of woody species, and woody plant cover. Soil samples were randomly collected from the 0-15cm depth in the plots and analysed for texture organic matter and nitrogen. The vegetation and soil data and attributes derived from them were used for ordinations using principal components analysis. The ordinations show that soil factors namely sand: clay ratio organic matter and nitrogen content were, in association with some vegetation attributes, important in determining the distribution and density of P. thonningii in the areas studied. Some aspects of the biology of the plant were also studied. Best germination results were obtained after acid treatment. The phenology of the plant and its response to perturbations were observed and these observations gave an insight into its mode of propagation. Anatomical studies showed the leaf characters as being semi-xerophytes and the stem as having growth rings. The age of the plant could be estimated from ring counts. Examination of the plant for nodules did not yield positive results but nitrogen levels in the leaves compared favourably with those of other browse plants in the same area. This identifies the plant as an important browse species in the savanna. Overall, the study has highlighted the conditions under which the plant grows and its rich potential as a source of cover and browse in the Guinea savanna.
Open Access
Metabolic Activities in Seedlings of Maize (Zea Mays Linn. CV. Farz 34) in Relation to Boron Nutritional.
(obafemi Awolowo University, 1985) Besong, Bernard Eshua; Lawanson, A. O.
The responses of maize seedlings to boron nutritional stress were investigated. One group of seedlings was deprived of boron while two other groups were subjected to supraoptimal concentrations of boron conditions by feeding them with five and ten times the optimal concentrations of boron. The effects of supraoptimal concentrations and/or deficiency of boron on the growth rates (as measured by their fresh and dry weights) as well as on the formation of chlorophylls, the specific activity of the ATPases, oxidative phosphorylation, succinate-, malate- and glutamate dehydrogenases, and on the level of mitochondrial quinones were studied. One supraoptimal boron level (X1OB) increased the fresh and dry weights of the seedlings while the other supraoptimal level (X5B) and the deficiency conditions decreased these parameters. Both the supraoptimal boron levels and boron deficiency conditions decreased the amounts of chlorophyll pigments. The specific activity of the respiratory enzymes as well as the level of mitochondria quinones were enhanced under the deficiency and one supraoptimal level (X5B) conditions; the increase being greater in the former group of seedlings. The other supraoptimal level (X10B), however, decreased the activity of the respiratory enzymes.
Open Access
Responses of Savannas to Stress and Disturbance: the Beginning of Desertification
(Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, 1985) Isichei, Augustine O.; Ero, Isaac I.
Stress and disturbance may be natural or caused by man but usually from a combination of extreme values of environmental variables. Their prevalence in the Nigerian Savanna and effect on stability and resilience and, in a sense, desertification has been examined. The stress and disturbance identified include drought, wood cutting and land cultivation, herbivory, annual burning. It is concluded that annual burning does not constitute a destabilizing factor as such since it could be regarded as regular annual phenomenon to which the plant species are adapted, but mainly as a force that accentuates the effects of other destabilizing influences created through improper land use. Effort has been made to place different savanna systems into ranges of stability and resilience. Suggestions have been made for improving grazing system, controlling indiscriminate wood-cutting and ecologically sensitive farming systems. Drought control is distinctly impossible except through irrigation which is not yet extensively practised. Land use and vegetation mapping must be done on a local scale permitting the application of management tools to delineated land units. Parameters of description, evaluation and prediction vary according to land use; intensive or extensive, transformational or conservational. A scheme has been proposed for assessing the phenomena of stress, disturbance/perturbation and their relationship to stability and resilience in the savanna.
Open Access
Studies of Abscisic Acid, Cytokinins and Gibberellins in Maturing Fruits of the Oil Palm (Elaeis Guineensis Jaquin)
(Obafemi Awolowo University, 1985) Umoru, Anefi Imhonikhe; Adebona, A.C.
Maturing fruits of the oil palm (Elaeis guineensis JaCquin), were analysed for endogenous abscisic acid, cytokinin and gibberellin activities in relation to the growth rates of such fruits. Soybean callus bioassay was used to determine cytokinin activity both in n-butanol fractions, paper chromatographed and developed in n-butanol: acetic acid water solvent system and in dried, 35% ethanol eluates from LH-20 Sephadex chromatographyl Lettuce hypocotyl and lettuce germination bioassays were used to determine the respective activities of ethyl acetate-and n-butanol- soluble gibberellins and diethyl ether-soluble abscisic acid after subjecting both to thin layer chromatography on silica gel. Developing solvent system for gibberellins was isopropanol: water, while benzene: ethyl acetate: acetic acid was for abscisic acid. The results of the bioassays showed that the hormone activities occurred mainly at Rf values of 0.1-0.2, 0.4.0.5 and 0.7-0,9 for cytokinins; 0.1-0.2; 0.3-0,5 and 0,6-0,8 for gibberellins and 0.4-0.5 for abscisic acid. Co-chromatography with authentic growth substances gave Rf values at 0.7-0.8 and 0.8-0.9 for zeatin and zeatin riboside respectively; 0.7-0.8 for gibberellic acid and 0.4-0.5 for abscisic acid. The drupaceous oil palm fruits increase in growth with time and produced a sequence of gibberellins, abscisic acid and cytokinins, each with four peaks of activity, the fluctuating level of which could be linked to the accelerating, deceleration and asymptotic growth phases. Endogenous gibberellic acid and abscisic acid were tentatively identified in this study. High levels of free gibberellins occurred in the young fruits while the conjugated forms predominated in the mature ones. Four of the six isolated endogenous cytokinins were tentatively identified as zeatin, zeatin riboside, isopentenyladenine and isopentenyladonosine. Although the interconversion between ammonia- and water-soluble cytokinins presented an inconsistent pattern, yet the decrease in the free cytokinins was concomitant with an increase in the conjugated forms in the water-soluble fractions during fruit maturation.
Open Access
Effect of Soil Texture, Nutrient Stress and Water Stress on Yield of Andropogon Gayanus Kunth and Schizachyrium Sanguineum (Retz.) Alston.
(Obafemi Awolowo University, 1985) Oke, Samson Olajide; Isichei, A. O.
Two grasses, Andropogon gayanus and Schizachyrium sanguineum grown to maturity in fine and coarse sand culture were subjected to nitrogen and water stresses to study how these stresses interact with soil texture in affecting growth and nitrogen accumulation in these grasses. Nutrient-stressing involved administering 200m1 of a nutrient solution containing. 35 parts per million nitrogen once in four days while for water-stressing the same volume of water was fed to the plants at the same frequency. These treatments, if administered once in two days, were considered adequate for the plants. There were two other intermediate treatments. Plants grown in fine sand produced more dry matter the highest yield was adequate nitrogen and water stressing while nutrient and water stressing gave the lowest. The biomass of the two grasses increased with increased nutrient addition to the growth medium. Nutrient stress had a more noticeable effect in reducing yield than water stress. Plants grown in coarse sand had a higher nitrogen concentration than those grown in fine sand. This is attributable to high organic matter content of fine sand the highest yield was adequate nitrogen and water stressing while nutrient and water stressing gave the lowest. The biomass of the two grasses increased with increased nutrient addition to the growth medium. Nutrient stress had a more noticeable effect in reducing yield than water stress. Plants grown in coarse sand had a higher nitrogen concentration than those grown in fine sand. This is attributable to high organic matter content of fine sand grown grasses which led to dilution of nitrogen concentration. In absolute terms, plants grown in fine sand had more nitrogen content. Increasing frequency of nitrogen addition resulted in higher nitrogen content of the grasses. As with yield, giving adequate nitrogen and water-stressing resulted in the highest nitrogen accumulation while water and nutrient stressing gave the lowest. Schizachyrium sanguineum accumulated more nitrogen than Andropogon gayanus because it is more efficient in utilizing nutrients in a low concentration medium. As for plant parts more nitrogen was accumulated in the roots than leaves or stems. The implications of these observations in relation to the natural conditions in which these grasses grow are discussed.
Open Access
Studies on the Productivity of Echinochloa Stagnina (Retz) P. Beauv. in the Kanji Lake Basin of Northern Nigeria.
(Obafemi Awolowo University, 1985) Obot, Emmanuel Asuquo; Sanford., W.W.
Echinochloa stagnina growing in Lake Kainji is identified, described, and separated from Echinochloa pyramidalis and Echinochloa colonaa. The grass has been recognized by cattle farmers as an important source of dry-season fodder for their stock, while the power generation authorities view it as a problem to the Lake's hydrology and optimal power generation due to its contributions to water loss from the lake through evapo-transpiration. Echinochloa stagnina which requires the annual 10 m draw-down of the lake for successful establishment and survival, shows a marked zonation and can potentially cover up to 46% of the lake's surface area. The contribution of the grass to evapotranspirational water loss from the lake accounts for the reduction of the effective lake volume by up to 17%, for example in 1979. A management strategy which demands the harvest and removal, for livestock fodder, of 5% of the total yearly standing crop (up to 120,965.4 tonnes) in order to maintain the grass as a renewable source of dry season fodder without significantly affecting power generation is presented. With such removal an estimated 3 x 106 kg of nitrogen and 4 x 105 kg phosphorus are removable from the lake ecosystem. Sources of nutrients to balance these removals are discussed. Decomposition of Echinochloa stagnina litter in Lake Kainji is rapid and does not fit the general exponential model Wt Woe`-t where Wt is the weight of litter left after time t , W0 is the original weight of litter, k is the decay coefficient and e is the base of the natural logarithm. A mathematical model, the Kainji Lake Echinochloa Model, to calculate the area colonizable by emergent vegetation any given year once the upper and lower water levels of the previous year is known, is presented and tested. A current vegetation map of the Lake is presented; the model has been used to reconstruct the vegetation cover history of the lake.
Open Access
Effects of Water Stress on Growth and Aspects of Primary Metabolism of Seedlings of Zea Mays Linn. Variety Farz 27.
(Obafemi Awolowo University, 1985) Ebukanson, Gabriel John; Lawanson, A. O.
Maize seedlings raised for six days were subjected to water stress treatments at 76.6% relative water content (RWC) and 66.5% RWC with appropriate controls. Growth of the maize seedlings, as measured by fresh weights, dry weights, seedling heights, leaf area index, leaf area ratio, leaf weight ratio, net assimilation rate and relative growth rate, was generally retarded by water stress. Water stress, on the other hand, effected enhanced accumulation of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, protochlorophyllide, protochlorophyll and phytol in the maize seedlings. The accumulation of carotenes and xanthophylls was enhanced while that of flavonoid was retarded. The levels of mitochondrial quinones, ATPase activities of the chloroplasts and mitochondria' oxidative phosphorylation activity and the activities of succinate, malate and glutamate-dehydrogenases were also generally retarded by water stress. It is suggested that, in water-stressed maize seedlings, the increased accumulation of carotenoids contributed to the increased accumulation of chlorophylls and their precursors. The retarded accumulation of mitochondrial quinones, and the retarded activities of oxidative phosphorylation and those of such enzymes as ATPases, succinate--, malate- and glutamate-dehydrogenases may be responsible for the retarded growth observed in the stressed maize seedlings. Flavonoid accumulation appears to be a better indicator of the effects of water stress on the performance of maize.
Open Access
Genetic Studies on Cassia Occidentalis Linn.
(Obafemi Awolowo University, 1985) Oloruntoba, Oluyemisi Grace; Olorode, O.
Cassia occidentalis is a compound-leaved, mono-capellary, woody shrub of waste places. Its other accession, Cassia sp. is a simple-leaved, multi-capellary, woody shrub also inhabiting waste places but with a more restricted distribution. It is an unusual Cassia plant since multi-capellary condition and the simple leaf form are unusual and apparently unrecorded for the genus. Genetic studies showed both plants to be closely related and to produce a fertile hybrid. The mode of inheritance of leaf form and carpel number was observed to be monogenic, the simple-leaved multi-capellary condition being recessive to the compound-leaved, mono-capellary condition. Anatomical studies on transverse sections through the petiole of the different leaf types encountered in the two accessions, revealed an evolutionary progression which was interpreted as a progression from the simple leaf form to the compound leaf form. The possibility of Cassia sp. originating from C. occidentalis as a result of simple mutational events was suggested. A simple event of hybridization between the two Cassia accessions can create considerable confusion for taxonomic work. For this reason, giving so much weight to the simple-leaf/compound-leaf and one carpe l/ many-carpel dichotomies in suprageneric plant classification deserves considerable caution.
Open Access
Changes in a secondary forest in southwestern Nigeria following a ground fire
(1986) Isichei, Augustine O.; Ekeleme, Friday; Jimoh, Bakare A.
In January 1983, two 50 m x 50 m rain forest plots in the University of Ife campus in southwestern Nigeria were demarcated for a baseline study of species composition, litterfall and tree girth increments. By accident, a severe ground fire burnt one of the plots on 31 January, barely two weeks after litter traps had been set and species listing and fist girth measurements completed. The effect of this fire was assessed in the burnt plot after 14 months, in April 1984. The fire affected small trees especially, and there were indications that some species were more sensitive than others. Manihot glaziovii, which was present in the plot and abundant in its vicinity before the fire showed a big increase in density after the fire because it was able to germinate in the openings created by the fie. These observations were related to succession, and it is concluded that the observation by some workers that the initial composition of a regrowth forest may be partly predicted from a knowledge of the seed bank in the soil may be applicable in the present case.
Open Access
Some Aspects of the Ecology and Biology of Tephrosia Bracteolata Perr, & Guill (Papiliooideae - Fabaceae).
(Obafemi Awolowo University, 1986) Awodoyin, Rasheed Olufemi; Isichei, A.O.
Some aspects of the ecology and biology of Tepharosia bracteolata, a fodder plant of the Nigerian savanna often growing in association with Andropogoneae grasses, was investigated. The seeds of the plant germinated best after 20 minutes acid treatment. Some good germination was also obtained with heat and boiling water treatment. Growth rates were better in soil enriched with phosphorus than in natural soil. Since one of the aims of the experiment was to examine the feasibility or sowing rangelands with T. bracteolata, field and laboratory studies of competition between it and Andropogon tectorum were carried out. The yields of the plants were higher when grown in mixtures than in monoculutures. Values of relative yield totals for both species were in 11 test densities greater than unity indicating mutual relationship between them. Association analysis showed that the two species were randomly distributed in the field. Soil and vegetation samplings in the field show that T. bractolata does well on acid soils with low organic carbon and nitrogen contents. The crude protein of the loaf samples (12.98%-17.98%) was adequate throughout the growing season to meet the minimal 8% crude protein requirement by animals for milk production. A. tectorum can only supply adequate protein early in the season when its crude protein ranges from 7.04% to 8.21%. Nodulation was observed in T. bracteolata. The presence of leghaemoglobin at the core of the nodules indicates effectiveness in nitrogen fixation. It is suggested that T. bracteolata can be utilized in place of imported pasture species in cropping rangelands. Also, harnessing the nitrogen fixing ability of the plant to improve soil nitrogen content could save the country part of the expenditure on nitrogen fertilizer importation and could reduce environmental pollution resulting from excessive use of the fertilizers.
Open Access
A Study on the Wood Anatomy of some Nigerian Trees with Potential for Pulp and Paper Production.
(Obafemi Awolowo University, 1986) Kpikpi, Walter Mawuli; Olatunji, O. A.
The wood anatomy of sixteen small to medium-sized Nigerian forest trees with potential for pulp and paper production was investigated. Their vegetative morphology was described along with their wood anatomy with a view to finding out their suitability for use as pulpwood. The fibre dimensions and the proportions by volume of various tissues of the wood are reported and the gross wood structure described. The wood ash contents of all 16 species determined were generally low - between 0.98% for Poltophorum pterocarpum and 2.70% for Gliricidia sepium. The woods of only 8 species were extracted with n-hexane, methanol and cold water. The total extractives contents were generally low. The least, 2.50% recorded for Trema guineensis and the highest, 7.35% for Musanga cecropioides.Specific gravity of the woods of all 16 trees was reported while the woods of 8 of the trees with very good anatomical characteristics and vegetative morphology were pulped for paper. The eight species include Musanga cecropioides, Trema guineensis, sepium Ricinodendron heudelotii, Manihot glaziovii, Albizia zygia, Delonix regia and Hildegardia barteri. The physical properties of the laboratory hand paper sheets compared with standard factory-made industrial papers showed that these species are good raw materials for paper-making. Musanga cecropioides was outstanding in the physical strength properties of its paper which showed a high Burst Strength of 4.12 kg/cm2 at pulp freeness of 37 (S.R.) after beating times of 45 minutes.