Dr Mansur Muhammad Aliero

State, to determine the effects of silvicultural treatments on the germination of indigenous forest tree species (Tamarindus indica l) of northwestern Nigeria. The study was carried out in the Forestry Laboratory of the Faculty of Agriculture. The effectiveness of nine (9) different presowing treatments was assessed, control inclusive. Treatment 1 (TRT1) seeds were soaked in tap water for 48 hours, Treatment 2 (TRT2) seeds were mechanically scarified opposite to micropyle, treatment 3, 4, and 5 (TRT3, TRT4, TRT5) seeds were immersed in H2SO4 for 5, 10 and 15 minutes respectively, treatment 6, 7 and 8 (TRT6, TRT7 and TRT8) seeds were soaked in hot water (100 o C) for 5, 10 and 15 minutes respectively and untreated seeds (CNTRL). A completely Randomized Design with three (3) replications was used. The data obtained were analyzed using one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). Seeds of T. indica subjected to TRT3, TRT4, TRT5 and CNTRL recorded with highest FGP (100%) and was found to differ significantly (P<0.05) with other treatment and TRT7 and TR8 was recorded with the least FGP of 43.33 and 36.67% respectively. The result revealed that TRT4 significantly (P<0.05) enhanced the speed and germination rate of T. indica, Based on the result, pre-treatment of T. indica seeds with H2SO4 is recommended for effective germination.

to assess the effect of different watering regimes on the initial growth development of Detarium microcarpum seedlings in two phases; Complete Randomized Design with seven (7) replications was used. The data obtained were analyzed using one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). The result revealed that seeds of D. microcarpum assessed three (3) different watering regimes (once in a day (T1), once after two days (T2), and once after three days (T3) on seedlings growth performance from early January to late March. The treatments were laid in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) and replicated 12 times. The data obtained was analyzed using a one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). D. Microcarpum seedlings Treated with treatment T2 were found to differ significantly (P<0.05) with other treatments having a high mean shoot height and mean leaf number while T1 was recorded with highest collar diameter. T3 was recorded with low mean shoot height and leaves number, therefore the findings revealed and recommend that, watering ones in 2 days is more effective on D. microcarpum early seedling growth.

The treatments were carried out in the field using Randomize Complete Block Design (RCBD), replicated six times treatment combinations used are H2SO4, HCL, and cold and hot water respectively. The best germination percentage was observed in sulphuric acid (88.8%) followed by hydrochloric acid (78.8%) and cold watertreated seeds produced the lowest germination percentage of (55.5%). The result for presowing on several leaves differs significantly (P<0.05) between all the treatments. Hydrochloric Acid treatment produces the highest number of leaves (13.00) which is similar (P>0.05) to the sulphuric acid result (12.00) but differs significantly (P<0.05) from all other treatments. While hot water treatment produced the least number of leaves. The result for collar diameter revealed significant (P<0.05) decreases in scarified seeds (0.87mm) and hot water treatment (0.30mm) compared with control (1.85mm). However, plant height revealed significant (P<0.05) increases in sulphuric (22.70) and hydrochloric acid treatment (19.27) compared to control (8.33). Hence this study validates the use of sulphuric acid and hydrochloric acid and further supports the use of these methods as an alternative in propagating and preservation Faidherbia albida

The study was conducted in Kebbi state University of Science and Technology, Aleiro at tree seedling nursery, Forestry Department to determine the effect of different pre sowing treatment methods on ziziphus mauritiana. seeds germination and seedling growth performance, using six treatment. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Completely Block Design (RCBD) with six replicates. The result showed that the untreated seed recorded the highest germination percentage (66.6%), followed by scarification (61.1%) then hot water (50%), cold water (16.6%). There was no significant difference (P>0.05) between treatments on plant height. Plant treated with scarification recorded the highest collar diameter mean value (2.56mm) while hot water (0.70mm) and sulphuric acid (0.55mm) recorded the least. Similarly untreated seeds recorded the highest number of leaves per plant (11.66) and the least number of leaves per plant was recorded in the hot water (4.21) and sulphuric acid (3.00). Scarification should be used to produce best early seedling growth performance. Further research should be conducted to explore the used of other pre-sowing treatments on Ziziphus mauritiana. seed germination and early growth performance.

This study was carried out to assess the different medicinal values of tree species in Kebbi State. Structured questionnaires and direct field observation were used to collect data on the medicinal trees from three hundred and sixty respondents across villages in Kebbi State. The results obtained revealed a total of 45 medicinal trees belonging to 21 Families were identified as being used for treating different ailments in the study area in which Anacardiaceae is the most common Family whereby the leaves and the bark are mostly used for medicine. The medicinal trees identified had multiple uses while some were effective as mixtures. The respondents used to extract different parts of the trees for medicinal purposes to treat various ailments. Most of the respondents are male within the age range of 41-50 and married individuals constitute the highest number of respondents. The majority of the respondents are farmers and have low literacy in Western education and they got the idea of planting trees through self-initiative. In Kebbi South only 20.83% of the respondents have planted trees for medicinal purposes. 22.5% in Kebbi North and 25% in Kebbi Central. The majority of the respondents planted trees for environmental protection. Medicinal plants were highly utilized in the study area. The parts mostly used are the leaves, barks, fruits and roots through decoction and drinking once, twice or thrice daily depending on the nature, types or intensity of the ailments. The result of the study also shows that there is a high diversity of medicinal trees and traditional knowledge on the use, preparation and application, which is still maintained among local people in the study area. More trees, herbs and shrubs are used for medicinal purposes in the study area. And this shows that there is a need for urgent conservation of these medicinal trees for sustainability.

This study assesses the deforestation and restoration activities in Wasagu forest reserve, Kebbi State Nigeria. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to select five (5) districts for the study and in each district four (4) villages were selected. Convenience sampling was used to select ten (10) respondents from each village, thus giving a sample size of two hundred (200) respondents. The results showed the distribution of respondents based on their socioeconomic characteristics which were dominated by males with 74.5% aged 31-40 having the highest value of 31.0%, followed by 41-50 which had 29.0% who are within productive ages, Married respondents dominated with the value of 85.0%, educational level showed that Arabic/Islamic school had 32.0% which lack literacy or formal education, farmers dominated with the value of 74.0% in terms of occupation in the study area. The results also revealed that agricultural activities dominated with 63.0%, Illegal logging of woods had the value of 9.0% which was the lowest in terms of causes of deforestation with, 4-7 trees exploited by individuals per year with a value of 63.5%. Most respondents prefer agricultural lands to forests, 90.5% as observed in the study area. It is therefore recommended that, since agricultural activities are the major causes of deforestation in the study area, agroforestry should be encouraged for forest land sustainability.

This study assesses the deforestation and restoration activities in Wasagu forest reserve, Kebbi State Nigeria. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to select five (5) districts for the study and in each district four (4) villages were selected. Convenience sampling was used to select ten (10) respondents from each village, thus giving a sample size of two hundred (200) respondents. The results showed the distribution of respondents based on their socioeconomic characteristics which were dominated by males with 74.5% aged 31-40 having the highest value of 31.0%, followed by 41-50 which had 29.0% who are within productive ages, Married respondents dominated with the value of 85.0%, educational level showed that Arabic/Islamic school had 32.0% which lack literacy or formal education, farmers dominated with the value of 74.0% in terms of occupation in the study area. The result also indicated that ideas of planting trees in the study area were ere dominated by communal-initiative with 63.0%, Self-initiative had the value of 12.0% with seedlings sourced majorly by purchasing from the market. 88.0% for fruits and feed 70.0% and 1-3 trees were planted by individuals with the value of 64.5% as observed in the study area. Major forest restorative activities were for environmental protection with a value of 50.5% and agencies responsible for forest restorative activities were the Community with 70.5%. Also relationship between age and restoration activities was found to be weak positive and statistically significant (r = 0.195, p < 0.006). It is therefore recommended that re-introduction of tree planting programs annually and forest nurseries should be established in the study area to enable them to raise seedlings for planting, and continued reforestation and restoration of the forest trees in the study.

This research aims to determine the effect of different pre-sowing treatments on germination and early growth pekkk TQrformance of Diospyros ebenum. It was conducted at the seedling nursery of Kebbi State University of Science and Technology. This study consisted of six (6) treatments replicated six (6) times laid out in Randomize Complete Block Design (RCBD) which gives a total of (36) replicate. The results obtained in this study indicated that Diospyros ebenum germination in control treatment recorded a high germination rate of (83.3) followed by hot water (61.1%) and scarification and HCL recorded the least and the same germination percentage (16.6%). There was no significant effect between treatments on plant height, number of leaves and collar diameter of (Diospyros ebenum). The highest plant height (1.32cm) was produced by seeds treated with sulphuric and the least by seeds treated with hot water (0.52cm). H2SO4 produced a larger collar diameter (4.50mm) while hot water produced the smallest collar diameter (2.33mm). The highest number of leaves (3.67) was produced from the seeds treated with H2SO4 and the least was produced from hot water (1.33). It is recommended that of the treatments used anyone can be used to propagate Diospyros ebenum

Abandoned or underutilized trees belong to these class of tree species that have been widely used for centuries or even millennia for their food, fiber, fodder, oil or medicinal properties etc  but have been reduced in importance over time owing to fussy supply, demand or use constraints; including poor shelf life, unrecognized nutritional value, poor consumer awareness and reputational problems (famine food or "poor people's food"). The study which aim at identifying  underutilized economic tree species in Aliero environ; involves field surveys for the compiling catalogue of tree species in the  study area; followed by focus group discussions with local farmers and administering of a structured questionnaire. Simple random sampling technique was used for data collection. The data was analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The result revealed that out of seventeen (17) trees species sampled, only six percent (6%) are mostly utilized with forty one percent (41%) and fifty three percent (53%) falling into utilized and underutilized respectively. There is a wide range of underutilized tree species which can be cultivated and/or improved and processed in the area. There is need for awareness campaign, improvement on the study on conservation, processing and marketing of underutilized economic trees species.

Palm oil plantations are not exceptional, one of the most valuable resources that needs to be accurately
measured for better and effective management; which commonly requires not only a reliable, timely but also
up-to-date data that remote sensing can provide. High resolution data are crucial in plantation management, as
it provide detailed information to plantation managers for better decision making. To combine the advantages
of these conventional remote sensing platforms such as high resolution and flexibility of airborne platforms
and cost effectiveness of spaceborne platforms, recently Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) platform is being
deployed for many remote sensing applications. Tree counting is crucial for plantation and environmental
management, biodiversity monitoring and many other applications. Despite of the factor that satellite and
airborne images have been widely used to detect, delineate and count individual tree in plantations, still such
high resolution data sets are expensive. Hence the need to deploy the use of UAV imagery for automated
palm oil tree counting. The objective of the study is to assess the usefulness of images obtained from Unman
Aerial vehicle (UAV) for Automatic palm oil tree counting. The methodology is based on the concept of
crown geometry and vegetation response to radiation. Spatial analysis involving the use of convolution and
morphological analysis are used to detect and delineates the palm oil crown; and image thresholding is used
for creating the palm oil tree centroids. The result of the thresholding was later used as input for automated
palm oil tree counting. The automated tree counting was executed using ENVI EX software and an open
source program “ImageJ”. The result shows that UAV data set is crucial for palm oil tree counting. The
accuracy of the result was assessed by comparing with ground truth; and it is found to be 96.5% accurate.
This proves that the UAV date set is suitable for automatic palm oil tree counting. The omission error may be
due to the factors such as canopy overlapping or due to the image blurriness. However, 96.5% accuracy can
be considered as within the range of the standard accuracy for palm oil tree counting.