Etude de l’influence des modes de transformation sur les teneurs en lycopène de quatre variétés de tomates de la région du nord du Burkina Faso

Les traitements thermiques visent à stabiliser les aliments pour de longues périodes de stockage. Ils induisent des variations dans la composition de l’aliment. Le présent travail a pour but d’évaluer l’influence des modes de transformation (séchage, cuisson) sur les teneurs en lycopène de quatre variétés de tomates (Mongal F1, Tropimech, Royale et Rio Grande) de la région nord du Burkina Faso. Les résultats en milligrammes de lycopène par gramme de tomates sont ainsi exprimés : Purée : Tropimech (0,065), Mongal F1 (0,028), Royale (0,051) et Rio Grande (0,045. Après les traitements on a noté les évolutions suivantes : Séchage à l’ombre : Tropimech (- 0.009), Mongal F1 (+0.009) Royale (-0.010) et Rio Grande (-0.009). Séchage solaire : Tropimech (-0.021), Mongal F1 (-0.007) Royale (-0.011) et Rio Grande (-0.014). Cuisson : Tropimech (-0.038), Mongal F1 (-0.014), Royale (-0.025) et Rio Grande (-0.024). Séchage solaire puis cuisson : Tropimech (-0.044),  Mongal F1 (-0.017), Royale (-0.038) et Rio Grande (-0.0035). Séchage ombre puis cuisson: Tropimech (-0.045),  Mongal F1 (-0.018), Royale (-0.035) et Rio Grande (-0.033). D’une  manière générale, les teneurs en lycopène ont subi une baisse au cours de la transformation.Mots clés : Tomates, lycopène, mode de transformation

Towards development of a parasitoid cottage industry of the parasitoid wasp Habrobracon hebetor (say): optimum rearing and releases conditions for successful biological control of the millet head miner Heliocheilus albipunctella (De Joannis) in the Sahel

Augmentative biological control by the parasitoid Habrobracon hebetor (Say) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) is the most promising strategy to control millet head miner, Heliocheilus albipunctella (De Joannis) a major insect pest of pearl millet in the Sahel. As H. hebetor survival is somehow challenging during the nine month long off-season when the host, H. albipunctella is in diapause, there needs to be a sufficient supply of parasitoids for fresh release each year. Therefore, the aim of this study was to establish a small-scale parasitoid rearing process adjusted to the Sahel conditions that can be scaled-up as necessary. We conducted experiments to fine-tune and standardize the rearing technique of H. hebetor for cottage industrial use. The results showed that parasitoids fed with 30% honey solution and supplied daily with one late-larval-stage Corcyra cephalonica Stainton (Lepidotera, Pyralidae) produced highest number of progeny. The optimal times for mating and egg fertilization, was achieved when a male and female pair was confined for 24 h in a 30-cc vial. Our findings indicated that, compared with the conventional rearing method -2 females supplied once with 25 C. cephalonica larvae-, this new method resulted in 14-times greater parasitoid production. Furthermore parasitoid female can be stored for up to three weeks at fluctuating 23–32°C temperature and 25%–80% relative humidity for numbers accumulations prior to on-farm augmentative releases without altering its fitness

Target-site resistance mutations (kdr and RDL), but not metabolic resistance, negatively impact male mating competiveness in the malaria vector Anopheles gambiae

The implementation of successful insecticide resistance management strategies for malaria control is currently hampered by poor understanding of the fitness cost of resistance on mosquito populations, including their mating competiveness. To fill this knowledge gap, coupled and uncoupled Anopheles gambiae s.l. males (all M form (Anopheles coluzzii)) were collected from mating swarms in Burkina Faso. This multiple insecticide resistant population exhibited high 1014F kdrR allele frequencies (460%) and RDLR (480%) in contrast to the Ace-1R allele (o6%). Kdr heterozygote males were more likely to mate than homozygote resistant (OR=2.36; Po0.001), suggesting a negative impact of kdr on An. coluzzii mating ability. Interestingly, heterozygote males were also more competitive than homozygote susceptible (OR=3.26; P=0.006), suggesting a heterozygote advantage effect. Similarly, heterozygote RDLR/RDLS were also more likely to mate than homozygote-resistant males (OR=2.58; P=0.007). Furthermore, an additive mating disadvantage was detected in male homozygotes for both kdr/RDL-resistant alleles. In contrast, no fitness difference was observed for the Ace-1 mutation. Comparative microarray-based genome-wide transcription analysis revealed that metabolic resistance did not significantly alter the mating competitiveness of male An. coluzzii mosquitoes. Indeed, no significant difference of expression levels was observed for the main metabolic resistance genes, suggesting that metabolic resistance has a limited impact on male mating competiveness. In addition, specific gene classes/GO terms associated with mating process were detected including sensory perception and peroxidase activity. The detrimental impact of insecticide resistance on mating competiveness observed here suggests that resistance management strategies such as insecticide rotation could help reverse the resistance, if implemented early

Field persistence of Habrobracon hebetor (Say) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) following augmentative releases against the millet head miner, Heliocheilus albipunctella (de Joannis) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), in the Sahel

Biological control by augmentative releases of the parasitoid wasp Habrobracon hebetor Say (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) is a promising strategy for controlling the millet head miner (MHM), Heliocheilus albipunctella (de Joannis) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). A current biological control program in the Sahel region involves inoculative releases of the parasitoid each growing season, but this is prohibitively expensive. The present study aimed to quantify residual parasitism of MHM in years after augmentative release. We also investigated the impact of two successive annual releases of H. hebetor on MHM parasitism. Two successive releases did not increase parasitism, but slightly reduced MHM damage in terms of number of mines and their length. Parasitism levels decreased in subsequent years if no additional parasitoids were released. Nevertheless, in the first year after release, parasitism levels in release villages remained significantly higher than in control villages. These findings suggest that augmentative releases could be carried out biennially instead of annually. Possible means of enhancing parasitoid survival between seasons are discussed

Report on Spermophagus niger Motschulsky, 1866 (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Bruchinae: Amblycerini) infesting the seeds of roselle, Hibiscus sabdariffa L. (Malvaceae) during post-harvest storage in Burkina Faso

This paper reports the presence and characteristics of the bruchid Spermophagus niger Motschulsky as a major pest of roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) seeds during post-harvest storage in Burkina Faso. Samples of roselle seeds collected in farmers granaries at three locations in Burkina Faso at the beginning of crop storage were brought to the laboratory and held for 2 months. All seed samples were infested with varying levels of S. niger, though samples from Tougan and Dedougou were more highly infested than those from Ouagadougou. Infested seeds generally had only one insect emergence hole, with seed perforation rates ranging from 1.8% to 4%. Insect rearing in the laboratory provided an opportunity for a clearer discrimination of sexual dimorphism and a better morphological description of the species. Males were smaller and weighed less than females. Post-embryonic development, which took place entirely within the seed, included four larval instars and one pupal stage; these stages are common in the subfamily Bruchinae. Our preliminary observations will enable a better understanding of this previously little-known insect pest. Furthermore, these results offer baseline data for further into appropriate post-harvest management of roselle in West Africa

A PCR-RFLP method for genotyping of inversion 2Rc in Anopheles coluzzii

Background: Genotyping of polymorphic chromosomal inversions in malaria vectors such as An. coluzzii Coetzee & Wilkerson is important, both because they cause cryptic population structure that can mislead vector analysis and control and because they influence epidemiologically relevant eco-phenotypes. The conventional cytogenetic method of genotyping is an impediment because it is labor intensive, requires specialized training, and can be applied only to one gender and developmental stage. Here, we circumvent these limitations by developing a simple and rapid molecular method of genotyping inversion 2Rc in An. coluzzii that is both economical and field-friendly. This inversion is strongly implicated in temporal and spatial adaptations to climatic and ecological variation, particularly aridity. Methods: Using a set of tag single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) strongly correlated with inversion orientation, we identified those that overlapped restriction enzyme recognition sites and developed four polymerase chain reaction (PCR) restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) assays that distinguish alternative allelic states at the tag SNPs. We assessed the performance of these assays using mosquito population samples from Burkina Faso that had been cytogenetically karyotyped as well as genotyped, using two complementary high-throughput molecular methods based on tag SNPs. Further validation was performed using mosquito population samples from additional West African (Benin, Mali, Senegal) and Central African (Cameroon) countries. Results: Of four assays tested, two were concordant with the 2Rc cytogenetic karyotype > 90% of the time in all samples. We recommend that these two assays be employed in tandem for reliable genotyping. By accepting only those genotypic assignments where both assays agree, > 99% of assignments are expected to be accurate. Conclusions: We have developed tandem PCR-RFLP assays for the accurate genotyping of inversion 2Rc in An. coluzzii. Because this approach is simple, inexpensive, and requires only basic molecular biology equipment, it is widely accessible. These provide a crucial tool for probing the molecular basis of eco-phenotypes relevant to malaria epidemiology and vector control. [Figure not available: see fulltext.

Inversion genotyping in the Anopheles gambiae complex using high-throughput array and sequencing platforms

Chromosomal inversion polymorphisms have special importance in the Anopheles gambiae complex of malaria vector mosquitoes, due to their role in local adaptation and range expansion. The study of inversions in natural populations is reliant on polytene chromosome analysis by expert cytogeneticists, a process that is limited by the rarity of trained specialists, low throughput, and restrictive sampling requirements. To overcome this barrier, we ascertained tag single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that are highly correlated with inversion status (inverted or standard orientation). We compared the performance of the tag SNPs using two alternative high throughput molecular genotyping approaches vs. traditional cytogenetic karyotyping of the same 960 individual An. gambiae and An. coluzzii mosquitoes sampled from Burkina Faso, West Africa. We show that both molecular approaches yield comparable results, and that either one performs as well or better than cytogenetics in terms of genotyping accuracy. Given the ability of molecular genotyping approaches to be conducted at scale and at relatively low cost without restriction on mosquito sex or developmental stage, molecular genotyping via tag SNPs has the potential to revitalize research into the role of chromosomal inversions in the behavior and ongoing adaptation of An. gambiae and An. coluzzii to environmental heterogeneities

Evaluation of different options: host plant resistance, weed management, fertilization for the development of an integrated pest management strategy for the sweet potato weevil in Burkina Faso

The sweet potato weevil (SPW) (Cylas puncticollis) is a destructive pest feeding on the sweet potato in Burkina Faso. This weevil causes severe damage to the tuber, and the infested tuber is unsuitable for human consumption or animal feed. This problem calls for effective control management, especially for non-chemical approaches. A field experiment was carried out from 2012 to 2015 with the aim to develop management methods. Different control methods, including host-plant resistance, weeds management and crop fertilization, were tested. The results showed that two varieties, Zappalo-1 and Resisto were free of any SPW damage (0%). Similarly, when plots were not weeded tubers of the BF11 variety were free of any SPW damage (0%). Finally, the combination of manure and mineral fertilizer significantly reduced the damage due to the SPW to score as low as 1 compare to 3.5 in the absence of manure. From the current study, it can be concluded that an integrated approach combining resistant varieties, good weeding practices and fertilizer application could be implemented to control the SPW in Burkina Faso

Field dispersal of the parasitoid wasp Habrobracon hebetor (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) following augmentative release against the millet head miner Heliocheilus albipunctella (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in the Sahel

Pearl millet is one of the major staple food crops in Sub-Sahelian Africa, and the millet head miner (MHM) [Heliocheilus albipunctella] is its major pest, causing serious economic damage in the maturity period. We studied the dispersion patterns of the endogenous ectoparasitoid, Habrobracon hebetor (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), after augmentative releases in pearl millet fields for biological control of the MHM, in 2010 and 2011 in Burkina Faso and Niger. The parasitoids were released using 15 jute bags per release site. Parasitoid dispersion was indirectly monitored through weekly assessments of MHM parasitism by H. hebetor at different distances from release points (0, 3 and 5 km) and in control villages (15 km). Our findings indicate that the jute bags released approximately 900–1000 parasitoids per site over a period of three weeks. This initial parasitoid population led to higher parasitism of MHM larvae at the site of dissemination compared to farms at distances of 3 and 5 km. However, usually after five weeks, successive generations of H. hebetor dispersed up to 3 km, causing high levels of MHM larval mortality, which sometimes is similar to those of the release points. Based on these results, we recommend the release of parasitoids at sites spaced 3 km for timely and more efficient control of MHM populations