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The growth response of zygotic embryos of 'Albescens'- type of 'tenera' oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) using Eeuwens medium, supplemented with 1-Naphthalene Acetic Acid (NAA) and 6-Benzylaminopurine (BAP) was investigated. The respective concentrations (0.00 mg/L, 0.05 mg/L, 0.10 mg/L) of NAA and BAP were used singly and in combination. Zygotic embryos extracted from the 'Tenera-albescens' type of oil palm were sterilized and inoculated in Eeuwens media containing the various combinations of growth regulators. The cultures were incubated in the dark room at 26oC, 50-60% relative humidity and later transferred to the light room at 26oC, 50-60% relative humidity at 16 hr photoperiod. Subcultures were carried out at intervals of 4 weeks. Data were collected on days to shoot and root emergence, shoot length at 3 weeks after inoculation (WAI), root length and plant height at 4, 6, 8 and 10 WAI, number of leaves and roots at 10 WAI. The results showed that the concentrations of NAA and BAP singly and in combinations had significant (p < 0.05) effect on in vitro plant regeneration and plantlet development. However, synergistic effect of the two plant growth regulators as supplements were optimal for all growth parameters measured.Keywords: Elaeis guineensis, 'Albescens', dormancy, germination, Eeuwens, in vitro

Four coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) varieties, West African Tall (WAT), Malayan Green Dwarf (MGD), Malayan Yellow Dwarf (MYD) and Malayan Red Dwarf (MRD), planted in the Main Station of the Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR) near Benin City, in an isolated seed garden to produce different types of hybrids through open pollination were used Selected dwarf mother palms were emasculated, while the tall mother palms were not, allowing the tall palms to cross pollinate the emasculated dwarf palms. Controlled natural pollination of these selected dwarf mother palms was carried out for four years, 1996 – 2000. Data collected include number of bunches (NOB), number of buttons (NOBT) and number of nuts (NON). The various cross combinations (populations) studied were MGD x WAT (population 1), MYD x WAT (population 2) and MRD x WAT (population 3). Mean squares from the analysis of variance were significant (P Keywords : Controlled natural pollination, Fruit setting percentage Journal of Agriculture, Forestry and the Social Sciences Vol. 4 (2) 2006: pp. 190-195

The study was carried out in order to provide local reference values of basal metabolic rate (BMR) by determining the BMR of healthy young adult males in Lagos and that of their female counterparts. A total of 80 students from the College of Medicine of the University of Lagos were studied. There were forty (40) males and forty (40) females. All the subjects fasted for at least 12 hours before determining the Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) from the rate of oxygen consumption by the subjects. Results obtained from the study showed that males had significantly higher BMR mean value of 52.36 ± 4.13 Kcal/hr as compared to the mean value of the females which was 36.28 ± 2.96Kcal/hr (P < 0.002). We conclude by presenting reference values of BMR young adults in Lagos: The young adult male has a BMR of 52.36 ± 4.13 Kcal/hr while that of this female counterpart is 36.28 ± 2.96Kcal/hr. Key words: Basal metabolic rate, Oxygen consumption, Nigeria, Energy expenditure. [Nig. Jnl Health & Biomedical Sciences Vol.1(2) 2002: 121-123]