Cadmium (Cd) is a non-essential element readily taken up by the plants. Cadmium negatively affects plant metabolism affecting growth and development. It is released into the environment by a number of sources including power stations, metal working industries, heating systems, batteries and urban traffic. Cadmium is recognized as an extremely deleterious pollutant due to its high toxicity and large solubility in water, and has been ranked among the top toxins. Having significant concern with plant and human health, Cadmium has been widely studied for its impacts on plant at various levels including metabolism. The objective of this paper is to review the effect of cadmium stress on growth and development in plants.

The study assessed the diversity of the indigenous tree species and also produce of a compendium of information on the various medicinal uses of the indigenous tree species and their parts in Adamawa State, Michika local government seven districts; Bazza, Futu, Garta, Madzi, Michika, Nkafa, Zah. Sample plots method was used in the assessment of the indigenous tree species using questioner. All indigenous Medicinal plants information on ethonomedicinal uses was obtained through oral interviews and the through the questioners. Age group and occupation was considered such as; Local healer, Herbalist, Traditional birth attendance, experienced parents, patients and students were randomly selected for this purpose. Result of the findings indicated that 48 common indigenous medicinal plants species were encountered in all the seven districts inventoried in the study. Results further indicate that Acacia seyal, Parka biglobosa, Adonsonia digitata ,Khaya senegalensis, Ziziphus spina-christi, Azadirachta indica, Moringa oliefera, Ficusgnaphalocarpa, Mangifera indica, Cassipourea congoensis, Psidium guajava, Vitex doniana, Nuclea latifolia, Anacardium occidental, Nuclea latifolia, Carica papaya, Annona senegalensis, Citrus aurrantium, Eucalyptus indica, Tamarindus indica, Vernonia amygdalina, Cassia occidentalis, Citrus Paradise, Momordica charantia, Anogeissuss, leiocapus, Ficus vollis, Gemlin arborea, Borassus aethiopum, Abrus precatorius, Elaeophorbia drupifera, Artemisia maciverae, Vitellaria paradoxa, Zizipus Mauritania, Daniella oliverii, Anogeissus leiocarpa, Ficus sycomorus, Balanites aegyptiaca, Conorandus panados, Deterium microcarpum, and .Balanites aegytiaca were common to all the districts. While all other species were found in either three, two or one districts. Diversity Index community response on resource and ranking of medicinal plant in the seven districts indicate Nkafa and Zah was observed to have higher ranking. It was observed that the plant parts used for medicinal purposes are roots, barks, leaves, stems, Epiphyte etc. The formulation for medication include; boiling, soaking, etc. Methods of administration include, drinking, bathing, adding to food as spices and chewing. Among the ailments treated are dysentery, diarrhea, diabetes, Tuberculosis, Meningitis, Blood tonic, High blood Pressure, Worms, Typhoid Fever, Cancer, Malnutrition, Tumors, Wound Healing, Jaundice, Epilepsy and Rheumatism. It can thus be concluded that the sharp decrease in disease outbreak in the districts and villages was as to the increasing economic and health values placed on medicinal plants, documentation on ethnobatanical knowledge is a way to understand the use of different plant species to cure various ailments, diseases and means to conserve these natural resources. From the findings of the study the following recommendations are hereby made; the local people need to be trained, encouraged and supported on how to conserve and manage the medicinal plant species, Young generation need awareness to avoid negative impacts on the medicinal plants and associated knowledge in the area, hence, documentation of the medicinal plants of the area needs to continue.

Key climatic parameters in Rivers State, Nigeria, such as temperature, atmospheric vapour and rainfall spanning a period of 30 years (1988-2018), were collected at the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET). The data was statistically analysed with the aim of determining the impact of changing climatic parameters on the recently observed flooding events in many of the communities. Results show that there has been a gradual increase in the amount of rainfall with increasing temperature and decreasing atmospheric pressure within the period of study (1988-2018). The studies noted that flooding of many communities in Rivers State and the destruction of their livelihood such as farm lands and markets may have resulted from the increasingly deteriorating climatic parameters over the period of study.

Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is the major crop for large numbers of people living in the cooler semi-arid areas of the world. The crop grow in the high lands of Ethiopia that ranges 2000-3000 m.a.s.l and covers approximately about 6.42 % the shares of total area covered. Barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV) is the most widely distributed and most destructive virus on cereal crops in the world. The virus is transmitted by several species of aphids in a persistent manner including Rhopalosiphum padi, which is the most efficient once. There are also species of aphids such as Schizaphis graminum, Macrosiphum avenae, R.maidis were also reported as vectoring the virus. It affects a wide variety of gramineous hosts, including barley, oats, wheat, rye, and many lawn, weed, pasture and range grasses. Barley yellow dwarf affects plants by causing stunting growth, reduced tillering, suppressed heading, sterility and failure to fill the kernels. Five BYDV causing strains of virus were identified in Ethiopia although their distribution varies from area to area these are (BYDV-SGV, BYDV-PAV, BYDV-MAV, BYDV-RPV, and BYDV-RMV). BYDVs can have a serious impact on an important limiting factor for grain production where ever barley is grown and the average yield losses attributable to natural BYDV infection can range between11 and 33%. Barley yellow virus disease on barley in Ethiopia was first reported in1967 regardless of the barley yellow dwarf disease strain(s) or species responsible .This report was based on only symptomology and was not confirmed by any standard laboratory diagnostic methods. The survey conducted on BYDV tries to cover almost all barley growing zones of Ethiopia and the distribution of BYDV was clearly identified under eight barley growing administrative zones of Ethiopia.

Smoke-dried fish mongers and marketers have adopted the use of organochlorines (OCPs) in the preservation of smoke-dried fish especially during storage. Although the OCPs laden fishes appear free from insect infestation, the retained residual concentrations in the fish flesh upon consumption possibly causes harm since OCPs can absorb and bio-accumulate in the blood stream and fatty tissues. This study therefore seek to quantify the residual concentrations of OCPs (DDT, endosulfan and lindane) in smoke-dried fish samples and extrapolate their toxicity effects in rabbit samples. The smoke-dried fishes were purchased from vendors, extracted and analyzed using the GCMS for OCPs (DDT, endosulfan and lindane). Thirty rabbit samples (1000 g – 1200 g) were divided into four groups (3 rabbits [control] and 9 rabbits each for DDT, endosulfan and lindane treatment groups) and three (3) concentration levels (LD50; ½ of LD50 [LD25] and ¼ of LD50 [LD12.5]) were determined based on the rabbit’s body weight and established OCPs LD50 values, then subcutaneously administered to the rabbits as a single dose. The OCPs toxicity effects on exposed rabbits were determined by analyzing the blood parameters (heamatology and serum biochemistry assay) at exposure periods (1, 3 and 7 days). The OCPs exposed rabbits exhibited varied clinical signs (itching, restlessness, jerky movements, skin scratching, salivation, increased urination and nervous signs) and their blood parameters count were significantly different (P<0.05) compared to the control (non-OCPs treated) rabbits. OCPs toxicity constitute real threat to public health considering their severe detrimental effects on the blood parameters of exposed rabbits, thus compromising their immune system and possibly leading to varied health complications. Therefore, public sensitization especially to fish mongers and marketers on the dangers of OCPs and the need to shun their use in smoke-dried fish preservation should be intensified and sustained.