RENEWABLE

FOREWORD

I am glad to present the fourth edition (Volume 4) in the series of articles published by ‘Renewable’, a Journal of the Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources, University of Ibadan, Nigeria. The online copies of articles are available online at https://journals.ui.edu.ng/index.php/ren/index. The Editorial team continues to push the boundaries of dissemination of research findings from contributors with special efforts aimed at ensuring prompt processing of high-quality articles and online presence of published papers. We are convinced that accessibility to scientific resources is germane knowledge distribution and development of science and technology in Africa and the world.

The support and continued interests from researchers and the contribution to knowledge have helped stabilize the journal in the last four years of its existence. In addition, the University of Ibadan, continues to support the journal by providing a for online access to the journal.

‘Renewable’ documents peer-reviewed full length research articles, short communications and review articles. The scope of the journal covers research areas such as forestry, wildlife and ecotourism, renewable natural resource utilisation, biotechnology, environmental protection, aquaculture, fisheries management and agroforestry. I encourage researchers and academics from different regions of the world to submit research outputs and findings for consideration and possible inclusion in the journal.

As Dean of the Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources, University of Ibadan, Nigeria, I want to specially recognize the contributions of members of the Publications Committee and Editorial Board to the success achieved so far. I am also grateful to the contributors, authors and reviewers.

Please enjoy the contents in Volume 4. I am certain the journal will continue to promote knowledge sharing and scientific learning in Nigeria, Africa and the world.

Thank you.

Professor Adejoke O. Akinyele

Dean, Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources

University of Ibadan, Nigeria

PREFACE

I am pleased to introduce the fourth volume (Volume 4 (1), 2024) in the series of articles published by the Renewable, Journal of The Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources, University of Ibadan, Nigeria. This scientific journal provides a platform for presentation of research findings from disciplines, such as: biotechnology, ecotourism, environment, fisheries, forestry, wildlife management, biotechnology, socio-economics, extension, health, physiology, nutrition, feeds and feedstuff, breeding and genetics, reproduction, farming systems; and man-flora-fauna interactions. The ‘Renewable’ journal is dedicated to providing a platform for researchers to share their findings with the global community. All published articles are available at: https://journals.ui.edu.ng/index.php/ren/index, hosted by the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. We encourage readers and authors to subscribe, submit manuscripts and download published articles from the website.

In this edition, nine articles have been selected for publication. The first article titled: ‘Acute Toxicity and Inhibitory Response of Marine Microalgae (Skeletonema costatum Cleve 1873) exposed to Water-Soluble Fractions of Crude oil, Diesel, Spent engine oil and their Composite Mixture’, assesses the potential of water-soluble fractions of crude oil, diesel, spent engine oil, and their composite mixture, to inhibit the growth of Skeletonema costatum, a marine microalgae. The extracts and their derivative hydrocarbons caused increasing inhibition of cellular growth as exposure concentrations increased. The study concludes that petroleum hydrocarbons contaminate marine water systems, are toxic to microalgae and disrupt the aquatic food chain. The second article titled: ‘Phenotypic Variability revealed Differentially Heterogeneous Traits in Longneck Croaker, Pseudotolithus typus (Bleeker, 1863), across Epe and Lagos Lagoons, Nigeria’ focuses on the determination of adaptive phenotypic flexibility, descriptive and discrete characteristics of Pseudotolithus typus found in Epe and Lagos lagoons, Southwestern Nigeria. The study employs six meristic counts and 15 morphometric attributes. It reported that the population of Pseudotolithus typus demonstrated taxonomic sanctity, but had differentially flexible phenotypes. Hence, indicating the adaptive potential and survivability of the species in multiple lagoon environments. The third article titled: ‘Influence of Temperature on Early Growth of Pterocarpus santalinoides L’Hérit. Ex Dc. evaluates growth variables as proxies for determination of the effect of varying temperature on the early growth of the tree species. The study reported a favourable growth response to varying temperature, with improved growth being observed at 25/33^oC and 27/35^oC. ‘The fourth article: ‘Effects of Salt Stress on Vegetative Propagation of Pterocarpus santalinoides L’Hérit. Ex Dc.’ explores the response of the tree species to salt stress in a controlled environment. It was reported that stem cuttings of Pterocarpus santalinoides were negatively affected by saline soils. Thus, indicating that the species could not thrive under salty conditions. The fifth article was titled: ‘Morphological Relationships, Physiological and Oxidative Stress responses of Male and Female African Snakehead (Parachanna obscura Gunther, 1861) from Epe Lagoon, Lagos, Nigeria’. The study examines sex-specific oxidative stress response of Parachanna obscura in Epe Lagoon, Nigeria. The morphological relationships among sexes of Parachanna obscura and their physiological responses were also determined. It was reported that sexual dimorphism was not markedly visible, while all morphometric parameters and meristic counts were consistent between sexes. In addition, antioxidants and liver enzymes revealed that there were no sex-related differences in their activities. The sixth article was titled: ‘Assessment of Heavy Metal Content and Antimicrobial Activity of Wild Mushroom (Ganoderma sp.) in Lagos State, Nigeria’. The article reported the inhibitory activities of Ganoderma spps. against Salmonella typhi, Escherichia coli, Candida albicans, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. The heavy metal contents were within safe limits established by the World Health Organization. In addition, Ganoderma species were safe for consumption and suitable sources of novel antimicrobial agents. The seventh article titled: ‘Allelopathic Effects of Leaf Extracts of Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) De Wit and Elaeis guineensis Jacq. on the Germination, Growth and Yield of Zea mays L., describes the stimulatory effect of the extracts on germination of maize seeds. It also reported that lower concentrations of Leucaena leucocephala and Elaeis guineensis had inhibitory allelopathic effects on the growth and yield of maize while higher concentrations had stimulatory effects. The eighth paper titled: ‘Vegetative Propagation of African Walnut (Plukenetia conophora (Müll Arg) as affected by Propagator, Plant Parts and Rooting Media’, describes the alternative method of seedling production using vegetative propagation. The results showed that cuttings in sterilized river sand, placed inside the mist propagator produced the best results. It highlights the importance of propagators and rooting media when producing Plukenetia conophora seedlings through stem cuttings.  The ninth article: ‘DNA Barcoding of Wild Cichlid (Tilapia guineensis) from Selected Water Bodies in Southwestern Nigeria’, explores the potentials of DNA barcoding in the identification and classification of Tilapia found in water bodies of Southwestern Nigeria. The study provides barcoding reference database for Tilapia guineensis and highlights the effectiveness of Cytochrome C Oxidase subunit I (COI) gene for species-level fish identification. It demonstrates high level confidence and accurate taxonomic identification of Tilapia guineensis from the water bodies in Southwestern Nigeria.

These publications contribute to knowledge in renewable natural resources research and demonstrate the versatility of the journal outlet. We continue to solicit for high quality manuscripts, which will be processed with due diligence. I appreciate the contributions of the editorial committee members, the leaderships of the Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources and the University of Ibadan. I am grateful to them for their continuous support and encouragement.  Special thanks to all contributing authors for choosing the Renewable.

Thank you.

Saka Oladunni Jimoh, Ph.D.

Editor-In- Chief