Diversity and agromorphological patterns of cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) accessions cultivated in Gabon’s northern and northeastern regions
January 2026
Describing the agromorphological traits of cassava varieties helps to identify high-yielding types or those best suited to specific farming systems and is essential for making informed varietal selection decisions. This study assessed the agromorphological diversity of cassava accessions from the Woleu-Ntem and Ogooué-Ivindo provinces of Gabon. Agronomic characterization of 212 accessions was carried out using 12...
Molecular characterization of blast resistance and pathogenesis-related genes in various rice accessions for suitable rice blast management in sub-Saharan Africa
December 2025
The rice blast disease, caused by Magnaporthe oryzae poses a significant threat to global food security. To identify efficient rice breeding material, pathogenicity tests were conducted, followed by PCR and sequence analysis on twelve rice accessions using ten blast isolates. Molecular markers linked to five major blast resistance (R) genes/loci (Pi2/Pi9/Piz/Pizt, Pi5 (t)/Pii/Pi3, Pik/Pikp/Piks/Pikm, Pia and Pita) and...
Ethnomedical studies and constituents of plants used in reproductive health in the Ashanti Region of Ghana
December 2025
Among the many remedies used for managing various disease conditions, including reproductive health issues in Ghana, traditional medicine remains prominent. However, information on the plant materials used for reproductive health and their phytochemical constituents is limited. This study identified the plants used for reproductive health in the Ashanti Region of Ghana and documented their preparation methods and...
Effects of the integrated use of effective microorganisms, organic material, and mineral fertilizer on the sustainable production of vegetables using the trench garden system
December 2025
There is a growing need for effective solutions to improve the availability and accessibility of diverse, nutritious foods in rural communities. The trench garden vegetable production system, a low-input sustainable farming method, has been developed to support vegetable production, but its long-term effectiveness when combined with effective microorganisms (EM) and mineral fertilizers has not been fully explored. This...
Morphological characterization and elemental analysis of Euryops floribundus N.E. Br in relation to its secretory structures
November 2025
In this study, the morphological characters of the stem, leaves and flowers of Euryops floribundus N.E. Br. have been investigated using scanning electron microscope (SEM) and elemental analysis performed using energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The stem and leaf cross-sections demonstrated phloem-associated secretory ducts in vascular bundles. Besides the secretory ducts inside the stem, this plant species is...
Exploitation and vulnerability of Pterocarpus erinaceus in the Kimbi-Fungom National Park, Northwest region of Cameroon
November 2025
Pterocarpus erinaceus Poir (African Rosewood), locally called “Madric” or “Kosso” is one of the endangered plants species in Cameroon. This study was carried out to assess the exploitation and vulnerability of the plant species in the Kimbi-Fungom National Park (K-FNP), Cameroon. Both biological and socio-economic methods were used in this study. The park was divided into 10 blocks, and a total...
Anthropogenic threats on tree species and fuel wood quality within semi-arid areas of Maasai Bomas in Longido District, Tanzania
October 2025
An investigation was conducted in October 2024 to assess anthropogenic threats on tree richness, relative abundance, and fuel quality score based on traditional knowledge within semi-arid areas of Old Bomas (OB), Active Boma (ABO), No Boma (NOBO), and protected (PRT) land of Engokaret, Kimokouwa, and Oltepesi in Longido district, Arusha region, northern Tanzania. Purposive sampling was applied at the ABO, NOBO, OB, and...
Effect of flower bud on tuber yield and quality of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) varieties in Horo District, Western Ethiopia
September 2025
The experiment was conducted in Horo District of Western Ethiopia. Five-by-two factorial experiment arranged in a randomized complete block design was the method used. The purpose of the experiment was to compare the varietal differences and to evaluate the effects of flower bud removal on tuber yield and quality in Irish potato varieties. Pruning treatments viz. normal growings were applied to five potato cultivars,...
Analysis of ionome density variation in African leafy vegetables (ALVs) for nutraceutical mineral-rich (NMR) prebreeding
September 2025
African leafy vegetables (ALVs) are micronutrient-rich orphan crops with emerging potential in nutraceutical biofortification. This study analyzed 26 ALV variants across eight species cultivated in western Kenya, evaluating leaf ionome profiles for six elements (K, Ca, Fe, Sr, Mn, Zn) using X-ray fluorescence and MIR spectroscopy. Soil parameters were also profiled to assess edaphic influences. Principal Component...
Agronomic analysis of the effect of sawdust texture on the budding of yam minisetts Dioscorea rotundata
August 2025
To determine the physical characteristics of the best substrate for germinating Dioscorea rotundata minisetts, a multifactorial trial was conducted on three types of sawdust in a randomized complete block design with four replicates, totaling 1440 minisetts (480 for each of the proximal, distal, and medial parts). Two criteria were used to characterize the sawdust types: Particle number and water retention capacity. The...
Assessment of different cutting methods on the growth and development of pepper (Piper nigrum) in the nursery
August 2025
Growing pepper trees (Piper nigrum) face several production constraints. The objective of this study is to identify the cutting techniques that allow better development of pepper crops in the nursery. Three clones (C1, C2, and S) were used for this study. These clones were cut in four locations (under tunnel, under shade, closed bin, and open bin) following a two-factor split-plot design. Six agro-morphological...
Germination and regeneration dynamics of the native tree species Guibourtia copallifera in Kasewe Forest Reserve, Moyamba District
August 2025
Guibourtia copallifera, native to West Tropical Africa, has a restricted geographic range in Sierra Leone, being common only in the Kasawe Forest Reserve. This species faces challenges in regeneration due to human pressures such as farming, logging, and charcoal production. Despite successful growth in plantations, there is minimal natural seedling establishment. The specific objective was to determine the effect of...
Antibacterial efficacy of Mimosa pudica against selected human pathogens: A comprehensive study
July 2025
The emergence of antibacterial resistant infections poses a significant threat to global health. As conventional antibiotics become increasingly ineffective, there is an urgent need to explore alternative therapies. Traditional medicinal plants, such as Mimosa pudica, have gained attention for their potential antimicrobial properties. This study aimed to evaluate the antibacterial potential of M. pudica extracts against...
The control of Diparopsis castanea with Cartap hydrochloride 50SP in Zimbabwean cotton
July 2025
In Zimbabwe, bollworms are the most destructive pests of cotton, capable of causing yield losses of up to 60%. Evaluation of new insecticides to complement those already on the market is an important part of bollworms control strategy. Trials were conducted at Cotton Research Institute (Kadoma), Kuwirirana (Gokwe) and Umguza (Matebeleland North) to evaluate the efficacy of Cartap hydrochloride 50SP on the control of red...
Physiological and vegetative growth variations of cacao thread blight disease causing morphotypes in Ghana
June 2025
Thread blight disease (TBD) is caused by several morphologically distinct pathogens classified into morphotypes. The morphotypes were identified as Marasmius crinis-equi, (Morphotype A); Marasmius tenuissimus, (Morphotypes B and C); Marasmiellus scandens (Morphotype D) and Marasmiellus palmivorus (Morphotype E). Evaluation of 52 isolates revealed consistent distinguishing growth characteristics in culture. The...
Differential effects of UVA, UVB, and PAR on photosynthetic efficiency in red algae: Gracilaria dentata, Hypnea musciformis and Centroceras clavulatum
March 2025
The effects of distinct components of the solar spectrum (ultraviolet A, ultraviolet B, and photosynthetically active radiation) on Gracilaria dentata, Hypnea musciformis, and Centroceras clavulatum were investigated under laboratory conditions. Thalli of the samples were exposed to either unfiltered solar radiation or solar radiation filtered through WG 295, WG 320, and GG 400 cut-off filters. Photosynthetic pigments...
Foliar fungal diseases of banana in the central region of Burkina Faso: Characterisation of pathogens
November 2024
Banana plantations in Burkina Faso are confronted with climatic hazards and parasitic attacks resulting in a considerable yield drop. Unfortunately, few studies have been devoted to banana leaf diseases. This study was initiated to characterize the major foliar fungal pathogens that hinder the development of this crop in the Centre region. Four communes were involved which are Koubri, Loumbila, Pabré, and...
Combining ability and effect of water stress on morphological and physiological traits of Lablab purpureus L. sweet
November 2024
Drought limits crop production worldwide, reducing yields by up to 70%. Lablab bean, suited for arid and semi-arid regions, shows notable drought tolerance, yet Kenya lacks improved drought-tolerant lablab varieties. This study aimed to (i) identify drought-tolerant lablab genotypes based on morphological and physiological traits and (ii) assess the combining ability of seven parental genotypes and 21 crosses to find...
Growth and yield of garlic (Allium sativum L) under the influence of different organic manure applications
October 2024
Garlic (Allium sativum L.) is a widely consumed root vegetable mostly for its nutritional, health and economic values. In Cameroon, the production rate of garlic is below its demand primarily due to low soil fertility. A field experiment was conducted at the research plot of the Faculty of Science of the University of Bamenda, to investigate the effect of three organic manures (poultry, goat and pig manures) on the...
Ethno-botanical survey and indigenous knowledge on the regeneration of Nauclea latifolia Smith (Rubiaceae), in the Noun Division of the West Region of Cameroon
October 2024
Human activities, such as over-exploitation for food, fuel, craftwork, construction, and medicines, have resulted in species depletion and near extinction due to lack of re-afforestation. This ethnobotanical study was conducted to assess indigenous knowledge on the use and regeneration of Nauclea latifolia Smith (Rubiaceae) in the Noun Division, West Region of Cameroon. The Snowball sampling technique, combined with the...
Effect of varietal combination and relative time of planting on yield productivity of maize and soybean intercrop in the forest-savannah transition zone of Ghana
September 2024
Two field experiments were conducted in 2020 and 2021 at the research field of Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development, Mampong campus, Ghana to evaluate the effect of relative time of planting two maize varieties intercrop with one soybean variety on yield productivity in transition zone of Ghana. The two maize varietal combinations were extra-early maturing maize (Abontem) +...
Evaluation of different fungicides against wheat rusts in West and Southwest Shewa zones, Ethiopia
August 2024
Wheat stem and yellow rusts which are respectively, caused by Puccinia graminis f.sp tritici and Puccinia striiformis f.sp. tritici, are among the most devastating diseases of wheat in Ethiopia. The use of fungicides is among the most important wheat rusts management strategy in wheat production and rust hot spot areas. The field experiment was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of some selected fungicides (Azoxystrobin...
Salinity-induced changes on growth, chlorophyll, metabolites, mineral distribution and productivity of three varieties of eggplant (Solanum melongena L.)
August 2024
Soil salinity constitutes a global threat to world food security given its deleterious effects on crop yield and the sustainability of arable lands. A comparative study was done on the changes induced by salinity on the growth, chlorophyll, metabolites, mineral distribution and productivity of three varieties of eggplant (Solanum melongena L). Research was effected in the green house (0, 50, 100, and 200 mM NaCl) and on...
Allelopathy as a tool for invasiveness of Tithonia diversifolia extracts through in vitro suppression of crop seeds’ germination
July 2024
Wild sunflower (Tithonia diversifolia) is an invasive weed in both tropical and subtropical cultivated lands and propagates through seeds and plant cuttings. Invasive plants have distinctive functional traits that enable their invasiveness. The objective of this study was to determine the in vitro suppression of germination of crop seeds by extracts of T. diversifolia. Two experiments were carried out, one in the...
Infestation dynamics of mistletoes in urban and rural landscapes of semi-arid Botswana
June 2024
The available information regarding mistletoes inadequately explains the dynamic facets of infestation in rural-urban gradients. This study was carried out to compare the abundance of mistletoe species on hosts between urban (Gaborone and Gakuto) and rural (Lentsweletau and Oodi) areas of Botswana. Four plots each with a surface area of 625 m2 were established in the respective study areas and from which...
Characterization of the causal organisms of soft rot on tomatoes grown in Lesotho
June 2024
In order to study the causal agents of tomato rot in tunnels/greenhouse, the tomato fruits (Solanum lycopersicum L) showing symptoms of soft rot was collected and their juices were used for the identification of microbes. Microbial isolates were obtained from lesions following surface sterilization and rinsing with distilled water. Bacteria cultures were prepared on nutrient agar while fungal cultures were...
Neuroprotective effect of Khaya grandifoliola against aluminium chloride (AlCl3) induced neurotoxicity in rats
April 2024
Aluminium chloride (AICl3) is known as a potent environmental neurotoxin causing progressive neurodegeneration in the brain. Khaya grandifoliola (KG) is used in Cameroon in traditional medicine for its therapeutical properties. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the neuroprotective effect of K. grandifoliola against AICl3-induced neurotoxicity in rats. The KG25-fraction was obtained by maceration of the K....
Combining ability of aphids (Aphis craccivora Koch) resistance in cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.)
December 2023
General combining ability (GCA) describes the general usefulness of the parental form in terms of the concerned trait, whereas specific combining ability (SCA) indicates importance of the joint action of the genes of parental forms. Such information is useful to identify the best combiners which may be hybridized to build up favourable genes. This present investigation aimed to determine the GCA and SCA effects of...
An investigation of the photophysiology and phenology of cultivated African violet plants
November 2023
African violets (Streptocarpus ionanthus), originally native to the Eastern Arc Mountains of Africa and adjacent submontane or montane forests in Kenya and Tanzania, are commonly grown as ornamental plants and have been extensively studied by horticulturists. However, there is a lack of laboratory data regarding their ecophysiology. Given the growing interest in conserving African violets in their threatened natural...
Occurrence and distribution of viruses associated with papaya ringspot disease in Kenya
November 2023
Papaya ringspot disease is a serious threat to papaya production in Kenya. For effective management, it is important to determine the occurrence and distribution of the viruses associated with the disease. A survey was conducted in 2017, covering a total of 103 papaya fields in major papaya production areas in the country. To determine the disease incidence, 20 plants per field were visually inspected for symptoms...
Prospecting, survey and plant material collection for Hibiscus sabdariffa L. (Malvaceae) genebank establishment in Côte d'Ivoire
October 2023
Hibiscus sabdariffa L. (Malvaceae) is a plant whose leaves and calyxes are integral to the local diet. The leaves are commonly used in sauce preparations, while the calyxes are utilized in making the local drink known as "bissap," which is highly appreciated by the local population. Despite its socio-economic significance, the production of this species remains relatively low in Côte d'Ivoire. This...
Effects of four plants and solarization on bacterial wilt of tomato caused by Ralstonia solanacearum E. F. Smith in Burkina Faso
October 2023
Bacterial wilt caused by Ralstonia solanacearum is a major constraint in tomato production. Experiments were carried out using four sanitised plants and solarization in a semi- controlled environment and in the field to reduce the infectious potential of the soil in R. solanacearum. The experimental design used is a randomized Fisher block with eight (8) treatments composed of Ocimum basilicom, Ocimum gratissimum,...
Effect of soil provenances on seed germination and seedling growth of Aframomum citratum (Pereira) K. Schum
September 2023
Soil that is rich in organic matter means soil that is rich in physical and chemical properties and enhances plant growth and development. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of soil provenance on seed germination and seedling growth of Aframomum citratum. Soil provenances were Buea, Dschang and Bamenda. These respective soil types were filled into 25 cm diameter polyethylene bags and pretreated...
Detached berries response to coffee berry disease (Colletotrichum kahawae) of F1 hybrid genotypes developed from Ethiopian accessions of Arabica coffee
August 2023
Arabica Coffee (Coffea arabica L.) is a cash crop that supports the livelihoods of many Tanzanians, but its productivity is limited by various factors, including Coffee Berry Disease (CBD) caused by Colletotrichum kahawae. CBD can lead to up to 90% coffee yield losses in Tanzania. There are different control measures for CBD, but the use of resistant cultivars has been mentioned to be a more sustainable method than the...
In vivo effect of cashew apple powder on fungi isolated from stored maize seed (EV8728-SR)
June 2023
One of the most significant cereal crops in the world is maize (Zea mays L.), which is susceptible to a number of illnesses, particularly those spread through seeds. Plant extract research offers a viable area for replacement research for fungicides used to treat seeds. In order to evaluate its antifungal impact on the sanitary and physiological quality of maize seeds, this study examined the phytochemical profile...
Relationship between rice blast severity and the rice growth stage for accurate selection of rice breeding material for improved rice production in Africa
May 2023
To improve the disease resistance of adapted rice genotypes, fourteen rice genotypes selected from previous field screening and four controls (two resistant and two susceptible) were screened in greenhouse trials against ten Beninese and four East African pathogenic isolates at rice seedling and tillering stages. Results show that across isolates, no significant difference was observed between disease severity on tested...
Screening Sclerocarya birrea provenances on pests and diseases: A step towards domestication
April 2023
Sclerocarya birrea is a famous wild fruit tree species which constitutes an important agro ecological system of the global ecosystem. It is one of the widely spread miombo woodland fruit trees species within sub Saharan Africa. An international provenances trial of 21 genotypes evaluated the plant phenology thus including, growth, adaptability (survival), fruit productivity and quality to select genotypes with superior...
Distribution of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) root rot complex and associated pathogens in eastern Ethiopia
March 2023
Groundnut root rot is a complex disease affecting the crop production worldwide. The objectives of this study were to: (1) Assess the occurrence and distribution of groundnut root rot complex in four main groundnut-growing areas of eastern Ethiopia; (2) Identify the major pathogens associated with groundnut root rot complex; and (3) Determine the role of pathogens singly and in combination on root rot severity of...
Nutritional composition of cinnamon and clove powder and the evaluation of the antimicrobial properties of their extracts: A comparison between Ghana and other countries
February 2023
Current trends have suggested that the continuous use of chemical additives has carcinogenic effects on consumers. This has instigated the research into more organic ingredients such as plant parts which could serve as potential replacement for these additives in food. This study was therefore conducted to compare the proximate and mineral compositions of the powder of cinnamon bark and clove buds collected from Cape...
Different levels of irradiance and plant regulators modify the leaf structure and essential oil production of Lippia origanoides H.B.K (Verbenaceae)
January 2023
The quality and quantity of secondary metabolites produced by plants can be influenced by biotic and abiotic factors, since the biochemical and physiological processes that coordinate the synthesis of these compounds are influenced by these. Plant regulators can also interfere with plant growth and terpene biosynthesis in aromatic species, which is why they are widely used in agriculture. Lippia origanoides H.B.K is an...
Performance of cotton genotypes (Gossypium hirsutum L.) for yield and yield component traits under irrigated climatic conditions of Ethiopia
November 2022
The present study was conducted to test the performance of cotton genotypes for yield and yield components from 2011 to 2013 cropping season at different cotton growing agro-ecologies in the country. Eleven cotton genotypes along with three check varieties were examined at three locations in RCBD under three replications. The genotypes manifested highly significant differences (p≤0.01) for plant height, bolls per...
Effect of storage temperature on fruit firmness and weight loss of nine tomato lines
November 2022
This study aimed to determine effect of three temperature levels on fruit firmness and weight in nine tomato lines in Kenya. Fruit firmness and weight loss were evaluated in a split plot design, temperature levels as main plots and tomato lines as sub-plots at the University of Nairobi, Pilot Seed Processing Plant. Fruits stored at 16°C showed the lowest average decrease in fruit firmness (58.19%) followed by...
Physical, mechanical and acoustic properties of Terminalia superba, Cleistopholis patens and Holarrhena floribunda woods used in sculpture and instrument making in Benin
October 2022
Wood is important in several fields including sculpture and instrument making. In the last two fields, Terminalia superba, Cleistopholis patens, and Holarrhena floribunda are three of Benin’s most used wood species. In this work, we have, on prismatic samples (500 mm × 20 mm × 20 mm) of the wood of these species, used the acoustic method Beam Identification by Non-destructive Grading (BING) of...
Seed dispersal of a range restricted and vulnerable species, Guibourtia copallifera Benn. in Sierra Leone
October 2022
In the early 20th Century, Guibourtia copallifera Benn. was extensively exploited as a source of gum copal. Its geographic distribution in Sierra Leone is now restricted to a few square kilometers in a single badly degraded forest reserve. We conducted a series of seed rain experiments to quantify its seed dispersal potential. Transects of seed traps were laid out and a total of 1,164,880 seeds were collected over...
Screening for complete submergence seedling tolerance in Rice (Oryza sativa L.) genotypes collected from Sudan and South Sudan
October 2022
Eighteen rice genotypes from Sudan and South Sudan and two genotypes (FR13A tolerant and IR42 sensitive checks) from the International Rice Research Institute were screened for complete submergence at seedling stage in a protected house. Most of the genotypes showed zero survival, except genotypes [NBGA (2.08%), Banban (3.92%), Masury1 (5.56%), Pipanfary Red2 (11.11%) and Sommboy (14.58%)]. Sensitive genotypes...
Molecular characterization of banana genotypes by SSR markers
October 2022
Banana and plantain are monocotyledonous herbs in the genus Musa (Musa spp.) and grown globally due to their diverse uses as export income, food and fiber. Banana is also grown widely in Ethiopia; however, the crop attracted very limited research attention and has little genetic information available. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to assess the genetic diversity and population structure of banana...
Spatial variation in the micro-minerals and ß-carotene concentration in four varieties of plantain
September 2022
Nutrition plays a vital role in growth, development and the prevention of possible nutrient-deficiency diseases that may cause permanent health risks in the later stages of life. Due to this, the concentrations of iron, zinc, copper, manganese and β-carotene in four varieties of plantain were investigated in this study. The relationship between the micro-minerals in the fruit, the sampling location and soil were...
Evaluation of maize germplasm for resistance to maize chlorotic mottle virus and sugarcane mosaic virus: The casual agents of maize lethal necrosis disease
September 2022
In Kenya, at national policy level to the individual household level, food security is synonymous to maize productivity and availability. However, the productivity of maize is affected majorly by maize lethal necrosis disease (MLND) that was first reported in Kenya in 2011. MLND results from co-infection between maize chlorotic mottle virus (MCMV) and any cereal-infecting viruses in Potyviridae family particularly...
Radio-Sensitivity of four selected rice (Oryza sativa L.) varieties in Kenya, as a pre-requisite for mutation breeding
September 2022
Radio-sensitivity test informs the optimal irradiation dose for use in mutation breeding. In this study, four rice varieties (Basmati 217, Basmati 370, ITA310, and Komboka) were irradiated with gamma-ray doses ranging from 0 to 500 Gy, to examine their morphological responses at the seedling stage, and estimate their optimal doses. Two experiments were carried out at varied time points between March and May 2022. In the...
Potential and measures for sustaining Prunus africana (Hook.F.) Kalkman (Rosaceae) in Tchabal Mbabo forest (Mf), Adamaoua Cameroon
August 2022
Prunus africana (Hook. F.) Kalkman is a medicinal plant for which the bark is used to treat benign prostate hypertrophy. P. africana is listed in Appendix 2 of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Its exploitation has been regulated in Cameroon through the settlement of some management standards. This paper aims to assess the potential of P. africana in the Tchabal...
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