The study investigated the application of eco-engineering approach for rice yellow mottle disease management caused by Rice yellow mottle virus in rain-fed lowland rice fields at Edozhigi and Makurdi, Nigeria between 2012 and 2015 cropping seasons. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with fourteen rice genotypes obtained from AfricaRiceCenter, Cotonou and National Cereals Research Institute, Badeggi. The Lady’s finger (Abelmoschus esculentum L.) was introduced on bounds to effect ecological modification in 2013 and 2015, whereas the conventional cropping system for rice without cultural modification was adopted for reference in 2012. The results indicated that RYMV incidence at 32 and 60 days after transplanting (DAT) was the highest in 2012 with the susceptible checks (FKR 28 and Sahelika) recording higher values in the range of 43.54 – 48.03% across the two locations. Other rice yellow mottle disease indices such as plant height reduction (cm) and spikelets sterility (%) were also highest among the susceptible checks in 2012 when conventional cropping system was adopted across the two locations. The average mean yield of 2.26 t/ha obtained in 2012 was signifacnlty (P = 0.01) lower than respective mean yields (t/ha) of 3.01 and 3.09 obtained in 2013 and 2015 when the eco-engineering approach was adopted. The introduction of nectar-rich lady finger on rice bunds contributed to ecological modification which was apparent in wider range of insect presence in the field, and reduction of RYMV incidence by 50% at both locations. The present work has established for the first time in Nigeria the use of eco-engineering approach of planting nectar-rich plants to effect habitant manipulation and reduce spread and incidence of RYMV in natural field condition. The practice is therefore been recommended as a short/medium-term management approach for RYMV in disease endemic field locations.

Cultural methods of managing insect pests of crops is an environmentally friendly option, it is a cheap, easily adoptable and safe to both human and natural enemies of insect pests. The study was conducted at Research Field of National Cereal Research Institute, Niger State to determine the influence of habitat management on the population density of African Rice Gall Midge (Orseoliaoryzivora), its parasitoids and yield of rice (Oryza sativa). The experiment was laid out in split-plot design and replicated three times. The two main plots were susceptible (FARO37)and resistant (FARO51) rice varieties, while the sub-plot treatments were three habitat managements with three alternative hosts of gall midge (Rice ratoon, Oryza longistaminata, Paspalumscrobiculatum) and the control was the plot free of any alternative host. Data were collected on number of tiller per hill, plant height, days to 50% flowering, percent incidence and severity of O. oryzivora, parasitism of O. oryzivora, panicle per metre square, grains per panicle and yield of rice. Plant height was not significantly (p>0.05) different in all the treatments. The number of days to 50 percent flowering was significantly (p<0.05) higher in the plot surrounded by P. scrobiculatum. Plots treated with P.scrobiculatum had significantly higher yield and lower incidence and severity of O. oryzivora. The parasitism of O.oryzivora by Platygasterdiplosisae and Aprostocetusproceraewas significantly higher in the plot of P.scrobiculatum.  The study concluded that planting of P. scrobiculatum could enhance build-up of parasitoids and reduce infestation and damage of rice by O. oryzivora

A Survey commissioned by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and financed by the Nigerian Plant Quarantine Services (NPQS) was conducted between 2009 and 2010 to investigate common virus diseases of Benniseed (Sesamum indicumL.) in some States of Northern Nigeria. The assessment was based on descriptive survey of the virus disease incidence and distribution on a farmersfield in nine states including; Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa, Kaduna, Plateau, Bauchi, Gombe, Katsina, and Jigawa. Disease identification and characterization was based on typical visual symptoms of the viruses in line with International Plant Protection Committee (IPPC). Tobacco leaf curl virus (TLCV) was common disease of S. indicum in the States.  The highest record of the TLCV incidence was obtained in Benue State, where seven out of nine farmers’ fields surveyed were found with the virus disease symptoms. Three fields were found with TLCV symptoms in Kogi State, whereas four fields were found with the disease symptoms in Nasarawa and Bauchi States. The TLCV was similarly intercepted in two fields in Gombe, and five in Jigawa States. Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) disease was however encountered in one field each in Kaduna, Bauchi and Jagawa States, whereas the disease symptoms were found in two fields in Katsina State. The recommended management practices for TLCV and TYLCV include the use of resistant or tolerant varieties, maintenance of weed free fields, destruction of crop residues after harvest, rouging of the virus infected plants and burning or burying them in the soil outside the field, spray of appropriate insecticide to control or prevent insect-vector outbreak, as well as use of integrated pests management strategy. Further epidemiology studies as well as biological, serological and molecular characterization of the viruses is also strongly recommended.

The study was carried out to evaluate the optimal culture medium for mycelia growth of strains ofrice blast pathogen (Magnaportheoryzae) in the laboratory. The blast infested leaves, stem and panicle collected from farmers’ field in three Local Government Areas (Gbako, Katcha and Lavun LGAs) of Niger State, Nigeria. Samples were cultured using Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA). The incubation was done at ambient temperature of 28+2⁰C and the associated fungi were identified. Pathogenicity test was done in the screen house to authenticate the causative organism of rice blast. Growth rate of M. oryzae was then assessed in four different media namely: Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA), Potato Carrot Agar (PCA), Malt Extract Agar (MEA) and Rice Agar (RA). A total of ten strains of M. oryzae were isolated and given hypothetical names MOR01 to MOR10. The result of pathogenicity test confirmed the isolates to be causative organism of the rice blast. All the media test supported the growth of M. oryzae. However, at the end of the evaluation, MOR10 showed more affinity for PDA with highest mycelia radial growth of 80mm in diameter. MOR07 had the least mycelia radial growth of 70mm. In PCA, MOR09 had the highest mycelia radial growth of 70mm, while the radial growth of MOR03, MOR05 and MOR06 were the highest (65mm each) in MEA. Therefore, for the optimal production of M. oryzae, PDA followed by PCA are the recommended optimal culture media.

Pre-harvest yield losses have been identified as major challenge to sustainable rice production. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of yield loss resulting from pests’ damage on profitability of upland rice production. The study was based on the data collected on a naturally pest infested upland rice field in Southern Guinea Savannah zone of Nigeria. Descriptive statistics and partial budgeting techniques were used to analyse the data collected. Results indicated that physical yield loss was 17.9%. This loss reduced the gross margin per hectare by 9%. It was recommended that rice field should be monitored regularly and preventive measures taken as from milking stage to maturity stage. Improved pests control technologies should be disseminated to rice farmers for adoption. Farm survey should be carried out to ascertain severity of damage by pest’ infestation on rice farms in the study area.