Phytohormones, pivotal regulators of plant growth and development, are increasingly recognized for their multifaceted roles in enhancing crop resilience against environmental stresses. In this review, we provide a comprehensive synthesis of current research on utilizing phytohormones to enhance crop productivity and fortify their defence mechanisms. Initially, we introduce the significance of phytohormones in orchestrating plant growth, followed by their potential utilization in bolstering crop defences against diverse environmental stressors. Our focus then shifts to an in‐depth exploration of phytohormones and their pivotal roles in mediating plant defence responses against biotic stressors, particularly insect pests. Furthermore, we highlight the potential impact of phytohormones on agricultural production while underscoring the existing research gaps and limitations hindering their widespread implementation in agricultural practices. Despite the accumulating body of research in this field, the integration of phytohormones into agriculture remains limited. To address this discrepancy, we propose a comprehensive framework for investigating the intricate interplay between phytohormones and sustainable agriculture. This framework advocates for the adoption of novel technologies and methodologies to facilitate the effective deployment of phytohormones in agricultural settings and also emphasizes the need to address existing research limitations through rigorous field studies. By outlining a roadmap for advancing the utilization of phytohormones in agriculture, this review aims to catalyse transformative changes in agricultural practices, fostering sustainability and resilience in agricultural settings.

Dry artificial diet pellets prepared with maize, cassava chips, and amino acid supplements (lysine and methionine) were evaluated for mass culture o

The maize weevil,Sitophilus zeamaisMotschulsky (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), is one of the most destructive pests of stored cereals. Knowledge of the life history and biology is important to the development of an integrated pest management program. Investigation was carried out on developmental biology ofS. zeamaison four main cereal crops, maize, rice, sorghum, and millet, under laboratory conditions. Egg incubation, oviposition periods, and larval instar development were not different significantly among the food hosts. Number of eggs laid varied significantly among the cereal grains; mean fecundity was highest on maize (67.2±3.16) and lowest on millet (53.8±0.17). Number of immature (larva and pupa) and adult stages varied significantly among the cereal grains. There exist four larval instars with a varied mean head capsule width, with a mean total instar larval developmental period of 23.1, 22.2, 22.2, and 21.6 d on maize, rice, sorghum, and millet, respectively. There was linear relationship and significant correlation between the stages of larval development and head capsule width. The mean developmental period from egg to adult varied, being highest on maize (34.7 d) and lowest on sorghum (33.5 d).

Over the years, the use of organic materials in farming has reduced due to the increase in the use of chemical fertilizers which are rich in readily available plant nutrients. Intensive use of inorganic fertilizers may have depressing effect on yield of watermelon. Field experiment was conducted at the Teaching and Research Farm, Kwara State University Malete, Kwara State, Nigeria, to study the effects of different rates of Organomineral fertilizer Grade A, un-amended compost Grade B and NPK mineral fertilizer on the growth and yield of Citrullus lanatus. There were significant differences (P < 0.05) among the treatments in relation to vine length, number of leaves, average weight of fruits and yield. NPK at 200 kg/ha had the highest vine length of 294.67 cm followed by organomineral fertilizer Grade A applied at 2.5 t/ha which had the value of 268.0 cm. Un-amended compost Grade B at 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5 t/ha had vine length values of 257.7, 259.0 and 259.7, respectively. All the fertilizer treatments significantly (P < 0.05) had higher number of leaves than control. The highest fruit yield of watermelon (36.7 t/ha) was obtained from organomineral fertilizer Grade A at 2.5 t/ha and NPK. From this study, the use of organomineral fertilizer in the cultivation of watermelon could be used as alternative to mineral fertilizer, although cost effective but difficult to procure and cannot substantially redress the physical fragility of the soil. It is recommended that organomineral fertilizer Grade A at 2.5 t/ha be adopted for watermelon cultivation in the study area.

Field experiment was carried out at the Teaching and Research Farm of Kwara State University, Malete, Ilorin, to evaluate the effect of compost, organomineral, and inorganic fertilizers on the growth and yield ofAmaranthus caudatusas well as its residual effects.Amaranthuswas grown with compost Grade B (unamended compost), organomineral fertilizer Grade A (compost amended with mineral fertilizer), and NPK 15-15-15 and no fertilizer (control). All the treatments except control were applied at the rate of 100 kg N/ha. The results indicated that theAmaranthusyield of 18.9 t/ha produced from Grade A was significantly (P<0.05) higher than 17.6 t/ha obtained from NPK fertilizer. Residual effect ofAmaranthusgrowth parameters such as plant height, number of leaves, and yield values obtained from Grade A was also significantly (P<0.05) higher than that of NPK, compost, and control values. Thus, organomineral fertilizer could be used in cultivation ofAmaranthus caudatusin Ilorin and in similar type of soil in similar agroecology.