Bioactivity of cypress leaf powder (Cupressus macrocarpa) on cowpea weevil (Callosobruchus maculatus Fabr. Coleoptera: Bruchidae) and maize weevil (Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky, Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in stored maize grains in Cameroon

Abstract Cowpea weevil (Callosobruchus maculatus) and maize weevil (Sitophilus zeamais) are very destructive pests of cowpea and maize respectively. Synthetic chemicals have been used extensively to control these pests. The present study investigated the potential of cypress leaf (Cupressus macropcarpa) powder as a biological agent against these pests. Three doses (g) of cypress leaf powder (2, 5 and 10g) were exposed to 10 adult insects in triplicate and mortality was observed every 24hrs for 3days. A repellency test was also conducted in triplicate using 3 doses (g) (2, 5, and 10g) of cypress leaf powder. The experimental design was Completely Randomised Design (CRD). The experiments were conducted in a laboratory (28 ± 2 o C and 80 ± 10% RH) in the Farm house of the Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, University of Buea, Cameroon The results revealed that, the cypress leaf powder did not cause any significant mortality (p > 0.05) compared to the controlled for both insect pests. The repellency test revealed that the cypress leaf powder showed a very high potential as a repellent agent (p < 0.05) with up to 50 -60% of both insect pests repelled just after 10mins of exposure to the smallest dose (2g). About 90% repellency was observed for both pests from the highest dose (10g) within 10mins of exposure making 10g a perfectly repellent dose. Our research supports strongly that cypress leaf powder has a strong repellency effect on both pests and little or no potential to cause significant mortality. Thus cypress leaf powder is a good candidate to incorporate in integrated pest management (IPM) programmes for control of cowpea and maize weevil in stored grains by poor-resourced farmers and store keepers in Cameroon and the world at large. Thus, appropriate technology transfer systems should be developed and passed on to poor-resources farmers to promote a direct preparation of indigenous pesticides at farm-house level

Adana İli'nde benekli mısırkurdu Chilo partellus Swinhoe, 1885 (Lepidoptera: crambidae)'un bazi biyonomik özellikleri, moleküler karakterizasyonu ve seçili insektisitlere duyarlılığı.

TEZ12619Tez (Doktora) -- Çukurova Üniversitesi, Adana, 2019.Kaynakça (s. 125-151) var.XXVII, 153 s. :_res. (bzs. rnk.), tablo ;_29 cm.Bu çalışma ile, 2018-2019 yılları arasında Adana (Balcalı)’da benekli mısırkurdu Chilo partellus Swinhoe 1885’in popülasyon dinamiği araştırılmıştır. Ayrıca, C. partellus’un yumurta (siyahbaş dönemi) ve larvalarının bazı insektisitlere duyarlılığı laboratuvar koşullarında belirlenmiştir. Buna ek olarak, bu zararlının Türkiye popülasyonu moleküler yöntemler kullanılarak tanımlanmıştır. Chilo partellus’un birinci mısırda 2018- 2019 yıllarında sırasıyla 03 Mayıs ve 15 Mayıs tarihlerinde gözlenmiştir. Chilo partellus’un popülasyonu her iki yılda da iki defa tepe noktasına ulaşmıştır. Ostrinia nubilalis Hübner and Sesamia nonagrioides bireyleri iki yılda da özellikle ikinci ürün mısırlarda yüksek seviyelerde kaydedilmiştir. Genel yumurta parazitoiti, Trichogramma evanenscens Westwood ilk kez C. partellus’un yumurta parazitoiti olarak kayıt edilmiştir. Deltamethrin C. partellus yumurtalarının açılma oranını %30.62 seviyelerine düşürmüştür. Uygulamadan 72 saat sonra, kullanılan tüm insektisitler C. partellus’un birinci dönem larvaları üzerinde %50’den fazla ölüme sebep olmuştur. Filogenetik analizler sonucunda örneklenen bireylerin nükleotid dizilimine göre 99-100% oranında C. partellus olduğu doğrulanmıştır. Buradan C. partellus’un Türkiye popülasyonlarının Hindistan, Kenya ve Güney Afrika’dan gelen karışık popülasyonlar olduğu sonucuna varılmıştır. Türkiye’de Akdeniz Bölgesi’nde insektisitler ve T. evanenscens gibi doğal düşmanların bu zararlının mücadelesinde kritik rol oynayacağı düşünülmektedir.In this study, the population dynamics of spotted stem borer, Chilo partellus Swinhoe 1885 was investigated in Balcalı, Adana, Turkey in 2018-2019. Also, the susceptibility of blackhead eggs and first instar larvae of C. partellus to some insecticides was determined in laboratory conditions. In addition, Turkish populations of C. partellus were characterized using molecular techniques. The first observation of C. partellus larvae on maize plants was on 03 May and 15 May in 2018 and 2019 respectively. The population of C. partellus peaked twice, in May and July in both years. High levels of Ostrinia nubilalis Hübner and Sesamia nonagrioides Lef. were observed in the second crop of maize for both years. The generalist egg parasitoid Trichogramm evanenscens Westwood was recorded on eggs of C. partellus for the first time. Deltamethrin reduced hatching of blackhead egg masses of C. partellus to 30.62%. All insecticides tested in the study caused mortality of first instar larvae of C. partellus greater than 50.0% after 72 h of exposure. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed the identity of the C. partellus samples collected by 99- 100% nucleotide accuracy. The Turkish populations of C. partellus were mixed populations, hypothesized to have originated from India, Kenya and South Africa. This study reveals that insecticides and natural enemies such as T. evanenscens mght play a critical role in the management of C. partellus in the Mediterranean region of Turkey.Bu çalışma Ç.Ü. Bilimsel Araştırma Projeleri Birimi tarafından desteklenmiştir. Proje No: FDK-2018-1066

Influence of Mineral Fertiliser on Vegetative Parameters of Fluted Pumpkins (Telfairia occidentalis Cucurbitaceae) in Buea, Cameroon

Telfairia occidentalis commonly called fluted pumpkin is an indigenous vegetable of Central Africa particularly in Benin, Nigeria and Cameroon. The leaves and seeds are widely implicated in the local gastronomy of these regions. The potential of this plant in the field of medicine is being investigated. Unlike Nigeria, fluted pumpkin is still in subsistent production in Cameroon. Among other factors, fertiliser plays a fundamental role in our understanding for mass production of many vegetables. We evaluated the role of urea (46% N) and NPK fertiliser on the vegetative parameters of fluted pumpkin in Buea, at the foot of Mount Fako South West Region of Cameroon in 2012-13. Soil physicochemical properties were examined before the experiment. 5 g, 10 g, 15 g urea/plant and 10 g NPK/plant were applied in a ring method 1 and 5 weeks after germination with 3 replications. A repeated measure multivariate analysis revealed an interaction between time and the fertiliser regimes. Soil analysis revealed a slightly high N and P concentrations. Number of leaves was significantly (P = .05) highest (280.7) for plant treated with 15 g urea/plant 10 weeks after planting, followed by 266.7, 263.0, 232.3, and 66.3 for plants treated with 10 g urea/plant, 10 g NPK/plant, 5 g urea/plant and control respectively. High urea concentrations had an antagonistic effect on vine length. Plant treated with 15 g urea/plant had a statistically significant (P = .05) highest leaf length (8.57 cm) from all treatments except for plant treated with 10 g NPK/plant (7.77 cm) and 10 g urea/plant (7.63 cm). Correlation analysis revealed a strong positive correlation (r2 = 0.621, P = .018) between number of leaves and length of leaves. We strongly recommend that farmers use 15 g urea/plant for maximum vegetative plant output. Other ramifications of this research are discussed

Principal Component Analysis of Some Pesticide Handling Practices of Small Scale Vegetable Farmers in Rural and Urban Districts in Ghana

Aims: To compare the adherence to pesticide safety standards by small scale vegetable farmers from rural and urban districts in Ghana. Place and Duration of Study: Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) (Urban District) in Greater Accra Region and Kwaebibirim District (KD) (Rural District) in the Eastern Region of Ghana. The survey was conducted from August – November, 2012 Methodology: Sixty small scale vegetable farmers (30 from AMA and 30 from KD communities) responded to a questionnaire (11 questions) on pesticide handling practices. Principal component analysis with Varimax rotation was used to reduce the 11 questions for fear of redundancy. Factors with eigen value greater than 1 were maintained as they accounted for 77.12% of the variable in the data set. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was conducted on the new factors to determine differences in scores for farmers from AMA and KD (P<.05). SPSS (version 16) was used for the analyses. Results: After Varimax rotation, 5 new factors (F1, F2, F3, F4 and F5) were retained and they accounted for 77.12% of the variability in the data set. The new factors were renamed based on the factors that loaded in each factor. Farmers in KD had a significant higher mean score (0.70 +/- 0.46) than those from AMA (0.57 +/- 0.29) for F1 (Personal Hygiene and Sanitation). Farmers from AMA had a significant higher mean than those from KD (F = 33.99, P<0.01) for F2 (Eat and drink during or after spraying in the farm). There was no significant difference for F4 (I am the only one who sprays the field) and F5 (I have received training in pesticide application) (P>.05) Conclusion: Farmers in rural districts (KD) take more precautions during pesticide handling than those in the urban districts (AMA). The age of the farmers may play a role in their behaviour. However, we propose that all farmers undergo training on pesticide use for better utilization with emphasis on farmers in urban districts

Biodiversity and distribution of soil nematodes in Mount Ararat, Turkey

The diversity and distribution of soil nematodes were studied in Mount Ararat from the altitude of 1523 to 5000 m a.s.l., in habitats with different ecological characteristics. A total of 2,561 individuals were identified belonging to 31 families, 62 genera and 70 species. The nematode diversity (species richness) and the nematode abundance display recognisable patterns of altitudinal distribution as the number of species reaches a maximum at intermediate elevations, whereas the nematode abundance was significantly higher at the elevated altitudes. The nematode community associated with the marshland habitat was significantly different from those associated to the other four types of habitat.Ghent University, Scientific Research Unit, Nematology Department, Belgium, grant project European Master of Science in Nematology (2012-2014 EUMAINE Programme)This study was supported by Ghent University, Scientific Research Unit, Nematology Department, Belgium, grant project European Master of Science in Nematology (2012-2014 EUMAINE Programme).WOS:0007115738000042-s2.0-8511740105

Laboratory and Field Trials to Identify Reduced-Risk Insecticides for the Control of the Golden Twin-Spot Moth <i>Chrysodeixis chalcites</i> (Esper) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Banana Plantations

The golden twin-spot moth (Chrysodeixis chalcites) is one of the most important pests in banana production on the Canary Islands (Spain). The efficacy of different biorational insecticides based on bioenzyme complexes (Intruder®), plant extracts: Rutaceae and Piperaceae (Avenger®), Rutaceae and Lauraceae (BioKnock®), cinnamon, citronella, and Menta (Cinamite®), Alliaceae and Solanacea (Garlitrol-Forte®), citrus (Prevam®), and neem oil (Indasol®) was assessed against C. chalcites. Laboratory assays included: choice (repellent effect), no choice, and contact toxicity on C. chalcites 2nd instar larvae. The highest repellent effect was observed with Prevam® (85.19 ± 1.7%), followed by Garlitrol® (68.44 ± 5.7%) and Intruder® (67.54 ± 4.3%). In no choice assays, Prevam® (0.92 ± 0.4%), Indasol® (0.98 ± 0.33%), and Intruder® (2.7 ± 0.33%) had the lowest leaf consumption. The contact toxicity assays showed the highest mortality with Intruder® both at 1 day and 7 days post-application (20.22 ± 2.98% and 77.77 ± 5.7%, respectively). In the screenhouse trial, the best results for C. chalcites larvae mortality, fruit damage, and fruit classification in quality categories 7 days after application of the bioinsecticide were obtained with Intruder®, Prevam®, and Indasol®. An economic analysis of biorational treatments was also performed. The results of this study provide successful alternatives to chemical pesticides for the control of C. chalcites on banana plants in the Canary Islands

Potential of bio-organic amendment of palm oil mill effluent manure and plant growth-promoting bacteria to enhance the yield and quality of maize grains in Cameroon

ABSTRACT: Achieving soil security is essential to improve maize (Zea mays L.) production that is affected by poor soil fertility, which is often mitigated using chemical fertilizers that cause deleterious environmental effects. The potential of bio-organic amendments to boost soil security was investigated in a field study with eight treatments including; Control–no input, chemical NPK (nitrogen:phosphorus:potassium) fertilizer, Manure (palm oil mill effluent–POME), Microbes (plant growth-promoting bacteria), NPK+Manure, NPK+Microbes, Manure+Microbes, and NPK+Manure+Microbes with four replications each. Results revealed significant (P<0.001) variations in maize grain yield across treatments with the lowest (1.8 tons ha−1) in control, and the highest (3.7 tons ha−1) in integrated treatments of NPK and manure or microbes. A corresponding trend occurred for 1000–maize grain weight that differed significantly (P<0.001) across treatments with the lowest (0.53 kg) in control and the highest (0.62 kg) in integrated treatment of NPK and manure or microbes. Proximate analysis of maize grains revealed significant (P<0.001) increase in protein contents ranging between 0.4–13% across treatments with the highest in the integrated application of NPK+Manure+Microbes. In sum, maize performance was consistent with the significant (P<0.05) increase in soil nitrogen, phosphorus and C-N ratio, with greater effect of microbes, manure and their combination. Earthworm population varied significantly (P<0.001) across treatments with the highest (241 individuals per m3) in manure and the lowest (38 individuals per m3) in NPK treatments. Overall, these results highlight the potential of POME manure and microbes to enhance soil security and boost maize productivity compared to NPK

Effects of several UV-protective substances on the persistence of the insecticidal activity of the Alphabaculovirus of Chrysodeixis chalcites (ChchNPV-TF1) on banana (Musa acuminata, Musaceae, Colla) under laboratory and open-field conditions.

Alphabaculovirus of Chrysodeixis chalcites (ChchNPV-TF1) has been investigated as a useful bioinsecticide against C. chalcites (Esper) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in banana crops. This study investigated the effects of several substances on the persistence of ChchNPV-TF1 under field conditions in the Canary Islands. Natural photoprotective substances, such as moringa, cacao, green tea, benzopurpurine, charcoal, iron dioxide, benzimidazole, kaolinite, and bentonite, were first evaluated under laboratory conditions using a Crosslinker as UV light source at 200 J/cm2. The photoprotective substances were divided into three groups: low protection (0-8%; kaolinite), intermediate protection (48-62%; green tea, moringa, bentonite and cacao) and high protection (87-100%; charcoal, iron ioxide). Benzopurpurine and benzimidazole did not provide any photoprotective effects. Two of the substances that yielded the best results, 1% cacao and 1% charcoal, were selected for the open-field experiment in a banana plantation. The persistence of ChchNPV-TF1 OBs (occlusion bodies) on leaf surfaces with sunlight exposure was analysed by comparing the initial mortality of 2nd instar C. chalcites larvae with the mortality observed at various intervals postapplication. The mortality rates decreased over time in all treatments and were always higher in the UV-protective substance-treated parcels. The 1% charcoal treatment exhibited the highest protection in both the laboratory and field experiments. No specific interference of UV-protective substances on the maximum photochemical efficiency of banana plants was observed under field conditions