Field experiments were conducted between April and November 2016 at the Teaching and Research Farm of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai (Latitude 09⁰ 02^”N and Longitude 06⁰ 34^”E) and Research Farm of College of Agriculture, Mokwa (Latitude 09 08’’N and Longitude 05⁰ 04’’E) to examine the effects of poultry manure time of application on the growth and yield of water melon varieties. The experiment was a 4 x 3 factorial laid in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) replicated three times. The treatments consisted of four (4) varieties of water melon and three (3) different times of application of poultry manure; a week before planting, during planting and a week after planting. The poultry manure was applied to all the treatments at the rate of 10 tonnes per hectare. Parameters evaluated were vine length per plant (cm), number of leaves per plant, number of branches per plant, days to first flowering, days to 50% flowering, number of fruits per plant, weight of fruits per plant (kg) and fruit yield (t/ha). Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA), significant means were separated using Least Significant Difference (LSD_0.05). The results indicated that, out of the four varieties evaluated, variety Koloss F₁, and Kaolak significantly produced longest vine, higher number of leaves and branches, higher number of fruits per plant, heavier fruits weight per plant and higher yield (t/ha). Also the application of poultry manure at a week before planting significantly supported higher growth rate and yield in all the four water melon varieties evaluated. Based on the outcome of this research, Koloss F₁ and Kaolak varieties planted in the plots with the application of poultry manure a week before planting showed appreciable growth responses at the two considered.

The seasonal population structure of oriental fruit fly Bactrocera dorsalis Hendel (Diptera; Tephritidae) was studied for 12 months (January to December, 2015) in three different orchard sites in Southern Guinea Savannah of Nigeria. The orchards were Guava, Cashewand Mango orchards located in Lapai and Paikoro Local Government Areas. The fruit fly was collected using Steiner, modified Steiner and ball traps baited with methyl eugenol (Benzene, 1, 2,- dimethoxy-4-(2-propenyl) and mixture of DD force (Dichlorvos DDVP). Traps were cleared at 7 days interval and serviced monthly. Flies specimen were identified with the aid of a stereo microscope. B. dorsalis was trapped in the field throughout the dry and raining seasons. Fly exhibited distinct patterns of seasonal population structure with three population peaks (June, July and August) at different orchards. The peaks corresponded with the fruiting cycles at different orchards. The population structure of B. dorsalis was high at all study sites during fruiting cycle. Trap types exhibited varying population densities, with ball trap performing better than the Steiner trap and its modified type. Fly population structure was influenced by the interaction of Temperature, Rainfall and Relative humidity. The results thus revealed will be necessary for the development of suitable control techniques to manage

the population density and reduce the damage caused by this notorious fly.

In this study, ten rice varieties comprising two newly released varieties, five elite breeding lines and three earlier released lowland rice varieties were evaluated for various quality characteristics in terms of physical, milling and cooking characteristics using standard evaluation system for rice. Among the 10 varieties, the two newly released varieties had the highest kernel length and length/width ratio making them long and slender compared to short and medium kernel sizes of the other varieties. Highest specific kernel weight was also found in the new varieties. There was no significant difference (p≤0.05) among the varieties in terms of surface area, but kernel volume was significantly higher in new varieties than average value of 12.44 mm³. Milling characteristics in terms of total milling recovery (TMR), head rice recovery (HRR) and broken rice percentage (BRR) showed significant difference among the varieties, with 70.52 and 72.04% TMR, 69.50 and 70.93% HRR and 0.42 and 1.84% BRR recorded for the newly released varieties. All the varieties cooked minimally within 15.24 and 19.09 min and optimally within

17.13 and 21.09 min. Elongation ratio of the rice after cooking varied significantly between 1.31 and 1.99. Cooked rice length (L₂) was highest in the new rice varieties, increased from original size (L₁) of 7.19 and 6.84 mm to 8.62 and 8.69 mm respectively for FARO 61 and FARO 62. There was also significant variation in water up take ratio (WUR) among the varieties, ranging from 1.44 to 1.97. The significantly superior quality traits among the evaluated varieties are desirable attributes and a mark of good quality. Significant associations were observed among some

physical and cooking characteristics, this can be used in developing new commercial varieties.

The study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the Adopted Village Extension Model employed by the National Cereals Research Institute for the dissemination of rice production technologies in Niger State. A multi-stage sampling technique involving random sampling of 120 respondents was used, and data were collected with the aid of a structured questionnaire. The study employed both descriptive and inferential statistics for analysis of the data. The results of a 3-point graphic rating scale (Likert ratio) indicated that method-cum-result demonstration, farmers’ participation in On-Farm Adaptive Research (OFAR) trials were highly effective dissemination methods. Management Training Plot (MTP) and awareness creation through radio and television were moderately effective. Adoption index revealed that 71.7%, 20.8% and 7.5% of respondents were in high, medium and low adoption level respectively. The results of a paired t-test for mean comparison revealed a highly significant (P≤0.01) variation in the mean output (kg/ha.) and income (P≤0.01) of farmers before and after dissemination of rice production technologies at 95% confidence interval. The study, therefore concluded that adopted village extension methods were effective, which culminated in the increased yield of farmers and income; hence sustainable linkage systems between the research, extension and input agencies should be emphasised in policy formulation and extension program planning for the dissemination of rice technologies.