Scientists with Tropical Legumes III (TL III) and HOPE II projects and other agricultural scientists have held a three day in-country review and planning workshop at the secretariat of International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Kano Station ahead of the forthcoming cropping season to address challenges, to increased production and productivity of legume crops and cereals in Nigeria.

The experts also discussed the ways to improve the seed and other technology delivery systems of both crops across the states of the federation

In his address at the meeting IITA representative Kano station Dr Alpha Yaya Kamara alerted participants on the emerging pest problem of fall army worm that is threatening the production and productivity of crops in Nigeria and Africa at large. Dr. Kamara also urged participants to proffer solutions to emerging issues, which is of economic importance to not just maize, but to host of other important cereals.

Similarly, TL III Seed System Specialist Dr. Lucky O. Omoigui revealed that developing sustainable seed systems in West Africa, research to improving food production will ensure a tremendous reduction in hunger and poverty in the country.

Professor Mrs Alabi of HOPE II project pointed out that activities of HOPE II had placed Nigeria among the world leading producers of Sorghum and Millet adding that Nigeria has continued to play a dominant role in global cowpea production with over 3.02 million metric tons of grain produced in 2016 from an estimated land area of 3.5 million hectare.

How you can test soil yourself

Soil pH is the measure of acidity or alkalinity of a soil. The lower a soil’s pH, the more acidic it is, and the higher the pH, the more alkaline it is.

It ranges from zero to 14, with zero to below seven being acidic, seven is neutral and above seven is alkaline. The optimum pH range for most plants is between 5.5 and 7.0; however, many plants have adapted to thrive at pH values outside this range.

It is, however, worthy to note that because pH levels control many chemical processes that take place in the soil, particularly plant nutrient availability, it is imperative to maintain appropriate levels for your crops to reach their full yield potential since it determines how easily plants can absorb nutrients from the soil.

According to cropnutrition.com, Irish potatoes and sweet potatoes thrive between pH 5.0 and 5.5, while rice, maize, sorghum, soya beans, wheat, cotton groundnut and watermelon etc thrive between pH 5.5 and 6.5.

In order to test the acidity or alkalinity of soil, preparednessmama.com noted that soil pH can be tested using the baking soda and vinegar method;

– Soil should be collected from different parts of the farm or garden, and then separated into two containers by putting two spoonfuls in each container,

– Then half cup of vinegar should be added to the soil,

– If it bubbles or foams, it indicates alkaline soil with pH of 7 to 8.

However if the soil doesn’t fizz, add distilled water to the soil in the other container until muddy, then half cup baking soda should be added. If it bubbles, it means the soil is acidic with a pH between 5 and 6.

Neutral soil will not react to vinegar or baking soda.