ABSTRACT
The sesame web worm (Antigastra catalaunalis) is the most important and serious pest attacking sesame in its early stages. It feeds on tender foliage by webbing the top leaves and bores into the capsules thus feeds in the internal contents. The objective of this study was to study the’ Susceptibility of Sesame varieties and performance of plant extracts (neem powder, garlic powder, and insecticide Escort 19EC against sesame webworm (Antigastra catalaunalis) (lepdidoptera: pyralidae) on sesame production. The field experiment was established at the Gaheyr experimental field of Faculty of Agriculture and Environmental Science, Somali National University, Mogadishu, Somalia. The trial was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD), featuring three replications with eight distinct treatments. This study evaluated the susceptibility of two sesame varieties—the local Somali 'Dunyar' and the Ethiopian 'Humera'—to webworm infestation. The trial included both treated and untreated (control) groups for each variety. To quantify infestation, five plants were randomly selected from each plot, and the percentage of infested plants was recorded. The result of this study indicates that the Treated varieties with Escort 19EC And Neem was less infested and the reduction of pest infestation was observed. The infestation percentage of all treatments before spray was recoded a similar percentage i.e. (100%) of infestation. However, the measured infestation after first spray relatively reduced into 30% at the treatment of Humera treated with Escort 19EC, and 40% for the treatment of local white treated with same insecticides thus insecticide Escort 19EC showed a great significant of the reduction of the Sesame webworm infestation. The study also briefly indicates that other treatments, neem powder, and garlic done slighter reduction on the infestation of the sesame webworm (Antigastra catalaunalis).

ABSTRACT
This study investigated the economic analysis of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) marketing in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Nigeria, with specific emphasis on the socio-economic characteristics of marketers, market structure, marketing efficiency, profitability, and the major constraints affecting performance. Primary data were collected from 200 randomly selected sweet potato marketers using a well-structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics, Gini Coefficient, marketing efficiency ratios, and profitability models. The findings showed that 67% of marketers were within the active age group of 30–49 years, predominantly male (60%), and 41% had attained secondary education. Furthermore, 63% operated at the retail level, while 59% were members of cooperative associations, implying a moderately experienced and organized marketing network. The Gini Coefficient for retail traders (0.44) signified a moderately concentrated and imperfectly competitive market, whereas that for wholesalers (0.10) indicated a highly competitive and equitable market structure. Marketing efficiency values stood at 234% for retailers and 196% for wholesalers, reflecting economic efficiency across both scales, with retailing performing slightly better. Profitability assessment revealed wholesalers earned ₦68,400 per truckload, with a Return per Capital Invested (RPCI) of 22% and a marketing margin of 33%, while retailers realized ₦10,100 per 100 kg unit, attaining an RPCI of 55% and a margin of 44%. Key constraints identified included poor road infrastructure (79%), high transportation costs (71%), unstable prices (67.5%), and inadequate credit facilities (64%). The study establishes that sweet potato marketing in AMAC remains profitable and efficient despite prevailing infrastructural and institutional bottlenecks.

ABSTRACT
The study was conducted at the experimental farm of the Mariano Marcos State University, Dingras, Ilocos Norte from August to December 2018. The area is rainfed and was grown with corn during dry season. The adjoining fields of the experimental area were planted with soybean, cowpea and peanut during the conduct of the study. The study was conducted to determine the yield and growth performance of the peanut varieties applied with Carrageenan Plant Growth Regulator (CPGR); to identify the best variety that would produce the highest yield under wet season cropping; and to determine the production economics of peanut applied with CPGR. The study was laid out in a 2 factorial RCBD design with three replications. The varieties: Farmers’ variety (Ilocos Red), improved peanut varieties (NSIC Pn 9 and NSIC Pn 12) was assigned as factor A, and CPGR (with and without) as factor B.

ABSTRACT
A 63-day study was conducted to determine the effect of the extruded feed enriched with garlic and ginger on the growth performances, whole body composition, and organosomatic indices of red tilapia fingerlings raised in a concrete tank. The 1,320 mixed-sex red tilapia fingerlings, weighing 4.77±0.14g were randomly allocated in triplicate in 12 hapas corresponding to four treatments. Treatment T0 (control) received the basal diet, while the fingerlings in treatments T1, T2, and T3 were fed the basal diet enriched with 1.5% garlic, 1.5% ginger, and 1.5% garlic-ginger mixture, respectively. Feeding took place four times a day at a rate of 5–4% of the biomass, with intermediate sampling occurring every three weeks for biometric assessments and total fish counts. The results indicate that all the parameters assessed were significantly improved in red tilapia fingerlings fed the experimental diets compared to the control. However, the best performances were obtained in fish fed the diet enriched with garlic powder with a weight gain (64.96±4.88g), specific growth rate (2.71±0.28%/d), protein efficiency ratio (2.85±0.30), and feed conversion ratio (0.97±0.10) significantly different from 26.22%, 33.95%, 25.26%, and 20.49% compared to control. For the body composition, the same observations were made regarding the contents in protein, lipid, ash, and energy, with a significantly higher impact on the body retention of the aforementioned nutrients, justifying thereby the best growth and welfare state of the gastrointestinal organs of the produced fish in treatment T1 compared to other treatments, particularly the control treatment.

ABSTRACT
The fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda, is a polyphagous pest native to the American continent that was first detected in Africa in 2016, where it has since become a major constraint to agricultural crops. The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), poses a significant threat to maize production, capable of inflicting total yield loss. This lepidopteran pest's polyphagous nature and ability to infest crops from the seedling through the reproductive (cob formation) stages make its outbreaks particularly devastating. FAW has two genetic strains: the "rice strain" that prefers rice and other grasses, and the "maize strain" that feeds on maize and sorghum. Potential control strategies are often more suitable for farmers who lack the financial resources to purchase chemical pesticides or expensive pure seeds. Spodoptera frugiperda is extremely difficult to manage because of its capacity for fast reproduction, migration, and feeding on a variety of host plants. However, there are a number of pest management strategies that have been documented in other regions of the world that may be modified, verified, and applied in in many parts of East African countries. The excess application of chemical insecticides has negative impact on the ecosystem and human health, as well as the development of insect pest resistance, this had led to a search for cost-effective, low-risk, and target-specific alternatives. This review focuses on the efficacy of microbial pest management options, including entomopathogenic fungi, entomopathogenic nematodes, bacteria, and baculoviruses. Recommendations highlighted in this paper would undoubtedly pave the way for successful management of fall armyworm in maize and other related crops.

ABSTRACT
Heavy metal pollution in the Niger Delta's aquatic ecosystems, driven largely by crude oil exploration and industrial activities, poses significant ecological and human health risks due to the persistence and bioaccumulation of elements such as lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd). This study aimed to assess the concentrations of Pb and Cd in water, sediment, and the aquatic macrophyte Eichhornia crassipes (water hyacinth) from Kolo Creek, Bayelsa State. Samples were collected from three locations along the creek over two months and analyzed using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). The results revealed detectable levels of both metals across all matrices, with sediment samples showing the highest concentrations (Pb: 1.608–1.863 mg/kg; Cd: 0.137–0.150 mg/kg), while lower levels were found in water hyacinth (Pb: up to 0.004 mg/kg; Cd: 0.0028–0.0040 mg/kg). Statistical analysis showed strong positive correlations between metal concentrations in the different compartments. In conclusion, the study confirms that Eichhornia crassipes is an effective bioaccumulator of heavy metals, underscoring the significant long-term ecological risk posed by elevated sediment metal levels and highlighting the need for stricter discharge regulations and the adoption of phytoremediation strategies.

ABSTRACT
Road pavement failure is a significant challenge affecting transportation infrastructure in Nigeria, particularly in areas with weak or unstable subgrade soils. The Warri-Sapele Highway in Delta State has experienced persistent pavement deterioration, often attributed to poor soil conditions beneath the pavement structure. This study evaluates the effectiveness of selected soil stabilization techniques in improving the engineering properties of subgrade soils along the highway. Soil samples were collected from various failed pavement sections and subjected to laboratory tests, including Atterberg limits, compaction, and California Bearing Ratio (CBR) tests, both before and after stabilization using materials such as lime and cement. The results revealed that the native soils exhibited low strength and high plasticity, which contribute to pavement failure. However, after stabilization, significant improvements were observed in strength parameters and load-bearing capacity. The study recommends appropriate stabilization techniques tailored to local soil conditions to enhance pavement longevity and minimize road maintenance costs in the region.