A Checklist of Botanical Piscicides Available in Nigeria

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.