This paper evaluates the level of governance sustainability of major agro-ecosystems in Bulgaria, and its “contribution” to the integral sustainability of respective agro-ecosystems. Modern achievements of the theories of Sustainable Development and New Institutional Economics are incorporated, and a holistic hierarchical system of Principles, Criteria, Indicators, and Reference Values for assessing Governance and Integral sustainability of agro-ecosystems in Bulgarian elaborated and empirically tested. Assessment has found out that there is a considerable differentiation in the level of Governance sustainability of different agro-ecosystems in the country with the highest (“Good”) demonstrated by agro-ecosystems with “Lands in protected zones and territories” and those in “Less-favored mountainous” regions, while agro-ecosystems “Mainly plain” and “Less-favored non-mountainous” regions are lowest and bellow national, second one being at Satisfactory level. Inclusion of the “Governance Pillar” affects unequally the Integral Sustainability of different agro-ecosystem. While for agroecosystem in “Less-favored mountainous” region calculations with and without governance pillar are almost the same, for other agro-ecosystems inclusion of the governance dimension decreases the overall sustainability.

Planning and establishment of urban forests/trees for bio-physical benefits is not new in Nigeria; however, development and management of urban forests/trees for social and cultural values is relatively recent. This study is a diagnostic assessment of all trees/shrubs within University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin-City, Nigeria, including the newly introduced indigenous tree species. Ecological analysis was used to describe the relic tree population while ANOVA was used to compare growth in height and mortality of Mansonia altissima, Tieghemela heckelii, Terminalia superba, Khaya grandifoliola, Nauclea diderichii and Piptadeniastrum africanum. There were 224 trees/shrubs – consisting of indigenous (15%) and exotic (85%) – distributed among 27 species, 26 genera and 19 families. Shannon Weiner index (2.65) revealed low species diversity while Terminalia mantaly ranked highest on Important Value Index (IVI) scale. Tree/shrub height ranged 2m to 6m while most stems (68%) recorded <20cm dbh. Ornamental plants (41%) tending toward mature growth stage dominated the landscape. The study revealed that Khaya grandifoliola had a significantly better (P≥0.05) annual growth rate (1.74m) but also recorded highest (62.5%) mortality rate in the urban environment. Relative high growth rates of K. grandifoliola and Nauclea diderichii present a possible alternative to some exotic tree species in urban green spaces.

This study reveals the distribution and levels of the organochlorine pesticide residues in fish, water and sediments in South-South, Nigeria. They were extracted with dichloromethane and screened for organochlorine pesticides with Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrophotometry (GC-MS). All data collected were exposed to analysis of variance at (p<0.05) and the means were separated by means of Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT). It was discovered in this study that organochlorine pesticide residues were not discovered in all the fish and water sampled, while there was significant difference (P<0.05) in the levels of some organochlorine pesticides detected in the sediments. Sediment samples from Oron in Akwa-Ibom State recorded 1.50±0.25 µg/kg and 30.80±0.20 µg/kg for lindane and aldrin residues respectively; Mkpana Beach (Akwa-Ibom State) had lindane (3.70±0.20 µg/kg), aldrin (4.20±0.20 µg/kg), endosulfan (0.60±0.30 µg/kg) and ortho-para-dichloro-diphenyl-trichloro ethane (o,p’- DDT) (0.20±0.10 µg/kg). Illushin and Agenebode in Edo State had 0.10±0.02 µg/kg and 1.00±0.30 µg/kg of aldrin residues correspondingly. They were all above the allowable limit of 0.05 µg/kg recommended by Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The pesticide-free fish and water could be as a result of the fact that the Fisher folks no longer use pesticides in fishing due to the awareness of the imminent dangers involved. However, the high levels of Pesticide residues in sediments may be as a result of overtime bioaccumulation of extensive and repeated use of the pesticides in fishing.

Forest Reserve Areas can sustain themselves of their valuable species through an effective regeneration system. At present, most of the preserved forest areas are been vandalized and valuable species are illegally removed. Based on the ecological problems which lead to the extinction of valuable flora and fauna species, it became necessary to study species diversity and their potentiality for regeneration in old Afaka Forest Reserve. Four (4) plots (A–D) of 100m x 100m were laid in each plot. Point centred quadrant method of sampling was used. Transect were selected on pure random basis where data were collected on species diversity and families, density of woody stem, diameter class distribution, regeneration potentials and relative frequency. 21 families with a total of 181 species were obtained on the species diversity at old Afaka Forest Reserve. The densities of woody plant varied between 625.01 - 961.51 per hectare in plots A, B, C and D. While the highest number of trees in diameter-class distribution were apportioned to 10 – 19cm class interval in plots A, B, C and D respectively. Diameter class 50cm and above had the lowest number of trees allocated to it. The regeneration potential of the diversified species was very poor, which has a great implication for regeneration and conservation of the various species encountered. Although Isoberlinia doka Craib &Stapf.had the highest regeneration potential from each of the examined plots followed closely by Acacia senegal, Parkia biglobosa and Terminalia avicennoides Gull &Peer. Important woody plants of economic importance, like Triplochiton scleroxylon k. schum had zero regeneration potential. However, it is necessary to understand the phenology of the forest reserve. To study whether seeds or fruits produced are under adequate physiological conditions to germinate and grow into wildlings for regeneration purposes.

Adequate information on the effects of irrigation on soil physical and chemical properties is critical as it substantially helps in ensuring environmental sustainability. To achieve this, two farmers plot were investigated at Gidan Arju village based on similarities in farming activities. Two profile pits were dug one for each plot and named IrrP1 and IrrP2 respectively. Soil samples collected from the genetic horizon each pedons. The samples were analysed for their physico-chemical properties. The pedons were sandy loam and sandy clay loam in texture at surface and subsurface horizons respectively. The BD was moderate for both pedons. The soil pH (H2O) ranged between 7.9-10 and was rated alkaline to strongly alkaline. Statistically, there was no significant variation between the two pedons. However, the entire samples were marginal in total porosity, OC, AP and low in EC. Total nitrogen, CEC, exchangeable Na, K, Mg and Ca were rated high. Correlation analysis showed insignificant, but negative relationship of BD with TN (r = -0.562), CEC (r = -0.304) and PBS (r = -0.396). From the results of our study it is recommended that phosphate fertilizer and manure should be supplemented to enhance nutrient status of the soils. Similarly, good quality irrigation water was also recommended to improve the soil pH.

This study examines the effect of macroeconomics variables on agricultural development in Nigeria between 1981-2016. To achieve the research objective Secondary data obtained from the Central Bank Statistical bulletin, and Food and Agricultural Organization were used for the study. Augmented Dickey Fuller unit root test and co-integration test were employed to analyse the data collected. The ADF test conducted on the variables showed that while government expenditure on agriculture was stationary at level, agricultural GDP, credit to agricultural sector, external debt, crude oil price, exchange rate, and interest rate were however stationary at first difference. The Engel Granger test makes fewer distribution assumptions and does not allow the identification of the number of co-integration vectors. The result of the error correlation model showed that in the long run, CAS (Credit to the Agricultural Sector) and Ex. Rate (Exchange Rate) exerted significant positive influence on agricultural development while Ex. Debt (External Debt), COP (Crude Oil Price), Gov. Exp (Government Expenditure on Agriculture) and IR (Interest Rate) failed to significantly explain the variation in agricultural development in Nigeria during the period under investigation. This can be due to inappropriate priority settings to profligate living instead of food production through to the masses by the government, implying that the government has been indulging in deficit financing over the years resulting in an increase in the rate of inflation. This again will lead to an increase in input prices, thereby affecting the output of the agricultural sector. It is therefore concluded that Credit to the Agricultural Sector (i.e. proper funding) and Exchange Rate are indispensable for sustained agricultural development in Nigeria.

Effect of seed priming methods on germination of Indian Jujube (Ziziphus mauritiana. LAM) In Northern Guinea Savanna Ecological Zone of Nigeria was studied at the Federal College of Forestry Mechanization, Afaka-Kaduna Nursery. The treatments consisted of Boiled water (100ºC) for 10 minutes, 15 minutes and 20 minutes; diluted sulphuric acid (H2S04) soaking time for 10minutes, 15 minutes and 20 minutes; Seed scarification (sand papering and cracking) and control. Ten (10) seeds from each of the treatments were sown in germination box containing sterilized river bank sand and replicated three (3) Times. The experimental design adopted was a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). Data from germination were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) at 0.05 level of probability. Results revealed that the seed of Indian jujube (Ziziphus mauritiana) seeds scarified showed a significant germination percentage (95.20±7.34) than any other methods, followed by soaking in sulphuric acid (H2S04) for 20minutes (77.60±7.34) then, soaking in hot water for 20 minutes which gave (47.67±14.68). However, the seeds in the control were significant (P>0.05) lower in germination percentage (3.20±7.34) than any other methods applied. Therefore, it is concluded that for effective, sustainable and fast multiplication of germination of Indian jujube (Ziziphus mauritiana) seeds in the tree nursery scarification methods should be adopted.