Different herbicides were evaluated for the control of the weed Conyza slricta in sugarcane planted at different geometrical pattems under agro-ecological conditions of I. Khan during 2000-2001 and 2001-2002. The experiments were conducted in randomized complete block design with split plot arrangement with treatment replicated thrice. Main plots comprised of various planting geomelries whereas sub plots were of herbicidal treatments. Weed parameters recorded were population, height, branches, leaves, fresh and dry weight per single weed plant. Sugarcane parameters recorded were stalks stool", height, weight with and without top. slem girth and Inter- nodes per cane and yield in Ions per hectare. Benefit cosl ratio (BCR) was computed for determining economic benefit. Means of various parameters depicted that planting geometries Significantly differed weed and sugarcane. The planting geometry of triple rows al120 em produced the highesl in the weed populalion and gave the highest yield of 58.2 t ha-'' as compared 10 other geometries used in this study. All the herbicides signi1icanUy decreased weed population and increased cane yield ha-'' compared to control. The herbicide Oleuran MA60 alone gave the highest cane yield of 59.33 t ha-'' at planting geometry of triple rows at 120 em and t ha-'' when averaged across geometries. The control gave Significantly lowest yield of 33,381 ha-''. The herbicide Dieuran MA60 gave the highest benefit cost ratio (BCR) of 2.19 and the highesl gross income of Rs, 51,9131- at planting geometry of triple row at 120 em, The lowest BCR ratio of 1 with the lowest gross income of 36,164/- was depicted in the control on the same planting geometry. It is suggested that for obtaining economic yield firom sugarcane at D, I. Khan. it may be planted at triple rows 120 em apart with ix application of Dlcuran MA60 30 days after planting for control of Conyza slricta. Eucalyptus has become an Integral part of agro-forestry. It is notorious for having allelopathic effsicts on growth 0/ agricultural crops growing In its vicinity. The allelopathic effects of Eucalyptus camaldulensis leaf extracts were evaluated on the growth parameters of cotton and maize with the objective to develop recommandation for growing these aops dose to eucalyptus The different extrects were preparad by soaking, boiling and crushing leaves in water. All the eucalyptus leaf extracts significantly reducad seed germination and other growth parameters of both the crops compared to control. Soaked extract ellt1ibited the highest decrease in root and crushed extract in shoot growth parameters of maize, In cotton, root and shoot growth parameters except length, the highest decrease was LelU"",,, by crushed soaked extracts, respectively. The boiled extract decreased germination of maize and cotton to 66 and 57% respectively compared to and 97% germination In control. It is recommended that maize and cotton may not be planted very close to eucalyptus trees due to likely adverse effects on seed germination and other growth parameters.
Nigeria has been, for the last four decades, struggling with the menace of inter-religious hostilities between Christians and Muslims who formed the largest religious groups in the country. Numerous policies and programs brokered by various Governments and non-Governmental organizations to curtail the situation failed to yield the desired result. Islamic studies as one of the widely offered programs in the Nigerian universities has the prospect of offering solution to the predicament. However, the courses taught in the program are mainly studies on the Qur’an, Hadith, Tauhid, Ibadat, Fiqh, Islamic civilization, thought and history without single course on interfaith relations. Taking Umaru Musa Yar’adua University Katsina (UMYUK)-Nigeria, as a study case, this paper attempts to draft and propose the inclusion of interfaith relations courses in the curriculum of Islamic Studies programs at the university level in Nigeria for realization of peaceful coexistence in the country. The researcher uses primary data from the Qur’an and sunnah as well as secondary data from different sources. The paper employs exegetical methods and adopts content analysis in the process of conducting the research. The article recommends merging of duplicated courses in the existing curriculum and inclusion of the proposed courses by the Nigerian universities and other institutions of higher learning that offer various Islamic studies programs for the attainment of peaceful interfaith relations in the country.
In this modern era, a world without synthetic polymers is incredible. Polyurethanes (PUs) one of these, are versatile materials and can be processed in a number of ways to obtain a wide range of valuable products e.g. adhesives, coatings, foams, and fibers. Utilization of renewable materials for the manufacturing of the polymers is desirable and appreciated from sustainability, as well as ecological considerations. In the past few decades, polymer/clay bio-nanocomposites have been extensively investigated due to their improved properties, including biodegradability, thermal stability, flame resistance and gas barrier properties, when compared to neat polymer. To improve the properties of an individual polymer system it is common to blend them with other natural or synthetic polymers. The carbohydrates based cross-linker (starch, cellulose, chitosan, and carrageenan) employed in the synthesis of PUs helped to improve the mechanical and thermal properties of the polymer. The cross-linking between carbohydrates and polyurethanes gives amorphous polymer micro-domains which transfer the stress to cross-link carbohydrates which increase the mechanical strength. Because of unique biological behavior of chitosan (CS), including nontoxicity and biodegradability, various applications of CS have been found either alone or blended with other natural polymers (starch, dextrin, carboxymethyl cellulose, alginates, gelatin) in the agriculture, pharmaceutical, water treatment, food, cosmetics, and textile industries. The present research work has been designed to synthesize chitosan based polyurethane bio-nanocomposites (PUBNCs) by step-growth polymerization technique using hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB) and polycaprolactone diol (PCL) as a flexible spacer (polyol). Different samples of PUBNCs were prepared by varying the blends of 1,4-butanediol and chitosan as chain extenders. Effect of diisocyanate structure on the properties of PUs has been studied using various diisocyanates like isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI), 4,4''-methylene bis(cyclohexyl isocyanate) (H12MDI), hexamethylene diisocyanate (HMDI) and 2,4-toluene diisocyanate (TDI). Blends of chitosan along with sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) also incorporated into the polyurethane (PU) to prepare cost-effective polyurethane. Various properties of chitosan and blends incorporated PUs like surface, structural, mechanical, thermal, biocompatibility, and antimicrobial properties were improved with the addition of chitosan into the PU. Chitosan has been found an extraordinary for the preparation of PU and chitosan made PU a desirable material for the biomedical as well as industrial applications.