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Mulching is covering the soil surface around the plants with organic or synthetic material to create favorable conditions for plant growth and proficient crop production. Hence, the objective of this paper is to investigate the Effect of Mulching Materials and Spacing on Growth and Yield of Two Varieties of Chilli Pepper (Capsicum annum L.) Planted in Experimental Plot in Jericho area of Ibadan Northwest Local Government, Oyo State, Nigeria using appropriate standard techniques. The results obtained from the experiment showed no significant difference in the growth parameters of both varieties except in the fruit yield data of the local variety assessed. Treatments which recorded highest values for hybrid and local variety on plant height, stem diameter, number of leaves, number of flowers and number of fruits were T2(27.7cm), T2(1.2mm), T2(64.0), T2(5.00) and T2(17.0) while treatments which recorded least were T4(20.3cm), T4(0.7mm),T5( 20), T4 ( 1.00) T3 (0.00) respectively. In conclusion, T1 (30x75cm+plantain leaves), hybrid variety recorded the best performance while for local variety, T2 (60cmx75cm+plantain leaves) recorded highest than other treatments assessed. It was therefore recommended that spacing of 30cmx75cm and plantain leaves should be adopted for the growth and yield of Capsicum annum hybrid varieties while 60x75cm and plantain leaves can be used for local varieties in the study area.

Having information about the existing stands and their structure within a forest is important, as it helps in understanding the biodiversity depth and climate change adaptation potential. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess the growth characteristics, diversity and structure of tree species in the Opara Forest Reserve on the Nigeria-Benin Republic Fringes in Oyo State, Southwest Nigeria using appropriate standard techniques. A total of 218 trees were enumerated and assessed. The results indicated that the forest reserve is primarily characterized by the prevalence of savanna species. The dominant species within the study area consists of 80 stands of Anogeissus leiocarpus; Vitellaria paradoxa exhibits the highest mean diameter at breast height (dbh), measuring 100.09 cm and Acacia faidherbia had highest value in height. The forest reserve is characterised by the dominance of trees within the 6-10 metre height range. In conclusion, the forest reserve exhibits a moderate level of species variety with favourable growth characteristics and the average height of the trees are typical of a savanna forest.

The objective of this paper was to evaluate the bioaccumulation and potential risk assessments of heavy metals in two varieties of edible vegetables (Amaranthus hybridus and Celosia argentea) around Lapite Dump Site of Akinyele Local Government Area, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria using different standard analytical techniques. The mean concentrations of the heavy metals showed that Pb, Cd and Mn (3.05mg/kg, 0.67mg/kg, and 129.61mg/kg) are the metals with means higher than their respective permissible values (PL) for humans (0.3mg/kg, 0.2mg/kg, and 6.64mg/kg respectively). These three heavy metals are also the metals with the most significant contamination and pollution factor according to the calculated contamination factor and geo-accumulation index. The bioaccumulation factors showed that Mn and Zn are the heavy metals accumulated most in the plants with the leaves having high content of these metals more than the stems. Pollution load index calculated revealed that the dumpsite area has been deteriorated (PLI > 1) making activities around the area (including agriculture) and the habitants at high risk of health hazards. Consequently, planting and other human activities in this area should be discouraged while appropriate authorities should get involved in impact assessment of the environment to relocate the farms and habitants of the area to a more suitable and environmental friendly area.

INTRODUCTION: The global burden of Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) problems has remained a significant challenge to the wellbeing of men and limits the effectiveness of SRH interventions for females. This study explored men and healthcare providers’ perception of ideal male-oriented Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) services. METHODS: This was an exploratory qualitative study involving three focus group discussions among men in selected communities and eight interviews among healthcare service providers in Ekiti State, Nigeria. Focus Group Discussion (FGD) and Key Informant Interview (KII) guides were used to collect qualitative data from twenty-six men and eight healthcare service providers, respectively. Participants for the study were selected from three different units of the selected hospital and twelve communities. Data were sorted, transcribed, and analyzed using Atlas ti software. Inductive-deductive thematic analysis was performed. RESULTS: Three main themes emerged from the study: (a) ideal men-oriented SRH service provision within a unit specially made and named after men, (b) 24-hour daily SRH clinic and (c) locating SRH Clinic in the healthcare institutions with outlets in the communities and schools. The participants identified primary needs as SRH organs assessments; screening services; family planning services; and education and counselling on prevention and treatment of male SRH problems. CONCLUSION: Men have SRH service preferences that focused on preventive and therapeutic sexual and reproductive health needs that are desired to be male-oriented, dedicated and provided in health facilities with public outlets.

The replacement of natural surfaces with synthetic materials that aggravate the environment is synonymous to urban spaces. Therefore, the objective of this paper is to evaluate the impact of land use and land cover on the land surface temperature (LST) of Oluyole Local Government Area in Ibadan, Nigeria using Landsat satellite images over a 20-year period (2000-2019). Data obtained were classified using the Maximum Likelihood algorithm supervised classification to create the Land-use Land cover (LULC) maps. Thereafter, the Land Surface Temperature (LST) was retrieved using the single-chan­nel method. The study area experienced shifts in land cover classes, including an increase in grassland (27.35%) and built-up (17.88%) areas, and a marginal decline in forest cover (1.91%). These changes corresponded to temperature variations, with an observed increase in LST of both minimum and maximum values (4.22oC and 4.01oC) between year 2000 and 2019 respectively. Forest conservation and sustainable land use practices are recommended to mitigate adverse climate effects associated with urban sprawl and land cover and land use change. This research contributes valuable insights for policymakers and urban planners aiming to balance development with environmental conservation and climate resilience.

Evapotranspiration's impact on crop production, determined by water consumption in plants, varies across locations due to surface and climate differences. Traditional ground-based methods for measurement fall short in capturing these variations. In order to address this, the study evaluated and mapped the evapotranspiration in the forest-savanna transition zone of Ogun State, South-western Nigeria using a geo-informatics approach. Over six years, 12 Landsat images were collected, representing dry and wet seasons. These images were used to estimate the Normalized Difference Vegetative Index (NDVI), indicating vegetation density, and compute evapotranspiration values across the area. During the dry season, NDVI ranged from -0.326 to 0.376, and during the wet season, it ranged from -0.435 to 0.780, showing higher vegetation cover in the wet season. Evapotranspiration values varied across different regions. In Abeokuta South, Abeokuta North, and Odeda Local Government Areas, values ranged from 2.83 to 6.37 mm/day, 0.12 to 2.64 mm/day, and 3.12 to 5.44 mm/day, respectively, influenced by varying vegetation characteristics. The geo-informatics approach offered a realistic representation and spatial understanding of evapotranspiration, proving cost-effective and accessible. In conclusion, the study recommends the geo-informatics approach for evapotranspiration measurement due to its ability to consider spatial characteristics. This understanding is essential for effective water resource management and crop planning in the Forest-Savanna transition zone of Nigeria.

The study evaluated the changes in land use and land cover (LULC) during a 23-year period and its resulting effects on the temperature in Oyo State metropolis. Landsat 8 images of the study area for 2000 and 2023 were downloaded and analyzed to observe and quantify these changes through the use of supervised classification method. Furthermore, the land surface temperature was computed using relevant formula. Within 23 years, the percentage of bare land, built-up areas and waterbody climbed from 0.48%, 38.51%, and 0.20% to 0.59%, 50.20%, and 0.66% respectively, while the percentage of vegetation declined from 60.82% to 48.54% according to the result. Additionally, in 2000, the land surface temperature ranged from 18.82°C to 28.25°C, and in 2023, it varied between 19.89°C and 32.21°C. Over the course of the 23-year study, it became clear that changes in the state's land cover and land use impacted on the rising temperatures, which were mostly brought on by a decline in vegetation cover. The study finds that Oyo State's metropolitan area is warmer than it was twenty-three years ago and as a result, it suggests that the government should support urban forestry initiatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]