TITLE:
A Checklist of Botanical Piscicides Available in Nigeria
AUTHORS:
E. A. Ekpendu, J. K. Saliu, A. A. Otitoloju
KEYWORDS:
Biodiversity, Botanical, Piscicides, Nigeria
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Ecology,
Vol.4 No.7,
May
26,
2014
ABSTRACT: The judicious use and rational management of biodiversity are
predicated on the identification and documentation of various taxa. A field
survey of botanical piscicides and their various uses was carried out in the
six geopolitical zones of Nigeria. Six states, each from a geo-political zone
of Nigeria, {south-east (Imo State), south-west (Lagos State), north-west
(Kaduna State), north-central (Benue State), north-east (Adamawa State) and
south-south (Rivers State)} were covered. Four local governments were selected
from each of the six states as sampling locations, (a total of 24 local
government areas). Luffa cylindrica, Carica
papaya, Nicotiana tabacum, Anacardium occidenttale, Senna occidentalis, Raphia venifera, Musa
acuminata, Vernonia amygdalina, Jatropha curcas, and Raphia venifera were common to all the
areas investigated. Luffa cylindrica was the most frequently used botanical in Rivers,
Lagos and Adamawa States (27%, 28% and 24%) respectively, Carica papaya in Kaduna State (24%), and Nicotiana tabacum in Imo and Benue States (28% and 22%)
respectively. The least used botanicals across the states are Musa acuminata (2%), Raphia venifera (4%), Musa acuminata (2%), Vernonia amygdalina (2%), Jatropha curcas (3%), and Raphia venifera (1%), for Rivers, Imo,
Kaduna, Lagos, Benue and Adamawa States respectively. A comprehensive
documentation of our biodiversity will help in rational management and exploitation.