In this study, biodegradable slow-release fertilizer (SRF) hydrogels were synthesized from hydroxyl propyl methyl cellulose (HPMC), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), glycerol and urea (SRF1) and HPMC, PVA, glycerol, urea and blended paper (SRF2). The fertilizer hydrogels were characterized by SEM, XRD and FTIR. The swelling capacity of the hydrogels in both distilled and tap water as well as their water retention capacity in sandy soil were evaluated. The hydrogels had good swelling capacity with maximum swelling ratio of 17.2 g/g and 15.6 g/g for SRF1 and SRF2 in distilled, and 14.4 g/g and 15.2 g/g in tap water, respectively. The water retention capacity of the hydrogels in sandy soil exhibited higher water retention when compared with soil without the (SRFs). The soil with the hydrogels was found to have higher water retention than the soil without the hydrogels. The slow-release profile of the hydrogels was also evaluated. The result suggested that the prepared fertilizer hydrogels has a good controlled release capacity. The blended paper component in SRF2 was observed to aid effective release of urea, with about 87.01% release in soil at 44 days compared to the pure urea which was about 97% release within 4 days. The addition of blended paper as a second layer matrix was found to help improve the release properties of the fertilizer. The swelling kinetic of the hydrogel followed Schott’s second order model. The release kinetics of urea in water was best described by Kormeye Peppas, suggesting urea release to be by diffusion via the pores and channels of the SRF, which can be controlled by changing the swelling of the SRF. However, the release mechanism in soil is best described by first order kinetic model, suggesting that the release rate in soil is depended on concentration and probably on diffusion rate via the pores and channels of the SRF.

This study was conducted to determine the effects of neem (Azadirachta indicaA. Juss) and moringa (Moringa oleifera) seed oils on the storability of cowpea grain. Cowpea samples were treated with various concentrations (0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 mL/200 g cowpea) of pure neem and moringa oils and their mixtures in ratios of 1:1, 1:2, and 1:3. The treated cowpea samples were stored for 180 days. Data were collected every 30 days on number of eggs laid, total weevil population, and percentage of uninfested grains and analysed statistically. Significantly different means were compared using LSD at . Increasing oil concentration resulted in better cowpea protection, for example, in oviposition where the control had 6513 eggs, only 8 eggs were recorded in pure neem oil-treated sample at 0.5 mL/200 g. Generally, better results were obtained with higher oil concentrations either in their pure forms or mixtures. The control had a total weevil population of 4988, while most treated samples had none. The control samples had 0% uninfested grains, while 73–94% of uninfested grains were observed in treated samples after 6 months of storage. Therefore, mixture of the oils at 1.5 mL/200 g can be effectively used to store cowpea.

Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterreneaL. Verdc.) is an important crop produced in Adamawa State of Nigeria. However, the production of the crop is seriously threatened by root-knot nematodes (RKNs;Meloidogyne spp.). Since cultural methods have not been very effective in controlling RKN, carbofuran was evaluated to determine its efficacy in controllingM. javanicain Yola during 2002 and 2003. Three bambara groundnut cultivars (Kwachanjiwa, Kwaheuma, and Kwatolotolo) were evaluated using three application timings (at planting, 3 and 6 weeks after planting, and none). Results indicated that applying carbofuran at planting provided the greatest reduction inM. javanicapopulation levels, which lead to increased yields in bambara groundnuts compared to the other two application timings. Furthermore, both Kwachanjiwa and Kwatolotolo provided similar high yields compared to Kwaheuma, which was most likely related to theM. javanicatolerance in these cultivars.

The main purpose of this research was to determine the effects of different processing conditions and packaging materials on the proximate composition of cassava flour in Yola, Adamawa State. Cassava has been considered the 4th most important food security crop, but inevitably, postharvest physiological deterioration starts within 24-72 hours after harvest. The cassava tubers (Manihot esculenta Crantz) were obtained during the 2022 and 2023 seasons at the sub-station of National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI), Nyanya, Abuja and the variety used was “TME-419”. The harvested tubers were subjected to different pre-treatments (48 hrs soaking in water, 2- and 4-minutes blanching) before three different drying methods (ambient, sun, and oven) prior to packaging into different materials (glass jar, polyethylene terephthalate, and high-density polythene). The results on CHO indicated that there was no significant difference (p>0.05) among the pre-treatments and drying methods in both 2022 and 2023. But there was significant difference (p≤0.05) observed among packaging materials in both 2022 and 2023. In 2022, the glass jar had the highest mean value of carbohydrate content of 83.74%, followed by PET with 82.84%, while the least of 80.14 was obtained from HDP. A similar trend was also observed in 2023; Furthermore, all the drying methods used in this experiment were capable of lowering the moisture content thereby increasing the CHO content. Consequently, the glass jar was found to be more effective and statistically better in preserving the proximate composition of cassava flour as compared to other packaging materials. Therefore, glass jar should be used after drying and subsequent milling for better preservation of proximate composition.