Change in amino acids content during germination and seedling growth of Cola sp.

Accessions of Cola acuminata and Cola anomala were analysed based on the variation of free amino acids during germination and seedling growth. These compounds were determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) methods. In the non-germinated seeds of C. acuminata, arginine (Arg) was the major amino acid found in all six accessions and valine (Val) was the least present, while in C. anomala, gamma ()-aminobutyric acid (GABA) was predominant and isoleucine (Ile) was less abundant. During germination, the seeds of the two species accumulated large amount of GABA and very little tryptophan. Principal component and cluster analyses of Cola sp. categorized the accessions into two groups distinguishing the two Cola species. The differences between the groups were related not only to the absence/presence of histidine (His) and phenylalanine (Phe), but also to amide amino acids asparagine (Asn), glutamine (Gln) and Arg contents. In Cola sp., free amino acids varied significantly during these two processes indicating their high utilization. These metabolites can be considered as crucial in the control of germination.Keywords: Cola sp., amino acids, germination, seedling growthAfrican Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 9(35), pp. 5632-5642, 30 August, 201

Evaluation des activités polyphénoloxydases, peroxydases et l’accumulation des composés phénoliques dans la résistance du manioc stimulé au Benzo (1,2,3) thiadiazol-7-carbothionic acid-s-méthyl ester vis-à-vis de Colletotrichum gloeosporioides Penz

Le manioc (Manihot esculenta Crantz) est une plante pluriannuelle cultivée dans les régions tropicales de la plupart des pays d’Afrique, d’Asie et d’Amérique Latine. Il contribue fortement à la sécurité alimentaire. L’objectif de cette étude est d’analyser le comportement des polyphénoloxydases (PPO), de la peroxydase (POX) et des composés phénoliques chez trois variétés de manioc au cours de leur induction au Benzo (1,2,3) thiadiazol-7-carbothionic acid-s-methyl ester (BTH) vis-à-vis de C. gloeosporioides. L’induction de résistance a été évaluée par des PPO , de la POX et de la teneur en composés phénoliques totaux solubles accumulés avant et après l’inoculation (I) par C. gloeosporioides, la stimulation (St) par BTH et de la stimulation suivie de l’inoculation (St+I). Avec les différents traitements, on note une augmentation progressive et significative (p<0,05) de l’activité de ces enzymes et des teneurs en phénols dans les feuilles et les tiges chez les trois variétés. Ces résultats montrent bien que le BTH stimule les mécanismes de défenses des plantes de manioc, bien que ces mécanismes diffèrent en fonction des variétés.   English title: Evaluation of polyphenoloxidase and peroxidase activities and accumulation of phenolic compounds in the resistance of stimulated cassava to Benzo (1,2,3) thiadiazol-7-carbothionic acid-s-methyl ester against Colletotrichum gloeosporioides Penz. Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is a perennia plant cultivated in the tropical regions of most countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America. It contributes strongly to food security. The aim of this study was to analyze the behavior of polyphenoloxidases (PPO), peroxidase (POX) and phenolic compounds in three cassava varieties during their induction to Benzo (1,2,3) thiadiazol-7-carbothionic acid-s-methyl ester (BTH) against C. gloeosporioides. Resistance induction was evaluated by PPO, POX and total soluble phenolic compounds content accumulated before and after inoculation (I) with C. gloeosporioides, stimulation (St) with BTH and stimulation followed by inoculation (St+I). With the different treatments, there was a progressive and significant (p<0.05) increase in the activity of these enzymes and in the phenol contents in the leaves and stems of the three varieties. These results show that BTH stimulates the defense mechanisms of cassava plants, although these mechanisms differ according to the varieties. &nbsp

Genetic diversity and gene flow revealed by microsatellite DNA markers in some accessions of African Plum (Dacryodes edulis) in Cameroon

Dacryodes edulis is a multipurpose tree integrated in the cropping system of Central African region still dominated by subsistence agriculture. Some populations grown are wild which can provide information on the domestication process, and could also represent a potential source of gene flow. Leaves samples for DNA extraction were collected from wild forms in Mbakwa supe region and from cultivated forms in Yaounde and Santchou region. Six microsatellites DNA markers were employed in genotyping to analyze population structure and gene flow. Amplification rate was high and genotyping revealed high level of genetic variation. The overall polymorphic level at the six loci was also high with average expected heterozygosity of 0.53; polymorphism of 0.46; mean allelic diversity of 0.5 and mean allele number of 8.33. There were no clear differences with only 1% variation among the three populations and 6% variation among individuals within populations. In contrast, the rate of heterozygosis was high in all the three populations. Both the number of migrant per generation (Nm=20) and the Wright’s Fstatistics (FST=0.012) suggest that there was substantial gene flow among the populations. These findings indicate that D. edulis possess a great potential of pollen dispersal and dominant crosspollination within populations. Most of the loci with private alleles (45%) were found in wild individuals which could be a source of pollen for crossing their cultivated relatives.Key words: Dacryodes edulis, domestication, genetic diversity and structure

Field Performance of Xanthosoma sagittifolium L. Schott Minitubers Grown Under the Influence of Poultry Manure and NPK Fertilizers: Changes in Content of Some Secondary Metabolites

The response of white and red cultivar (cv) cocoyam (Xanthosoma sagittifolium (L.) Schott) minituber seeds to different rates of poultry manure (PM) and NPK (20:10:10) fertilizer was studied under field conditions in the 2017 cropping season on an experimental farm at Ngog Bibega, Mbankomo Sub-division, (outskirsts of Yaounde) Centre region, Cameroon. Treatment combinations comprising of three rates each of poultry manure (0, 20 and 30t ha-1) and NPK fertilizer (0, 120 and 150 kg ha-1) were factorized and fitted into a randomized complete block design with three replicates. Physico-chemical analysis of all treatment plots revealed clay loam textures and poultry manure treatment plots significantly (P<0.05) increased soil pH, organic content, total carbon and cation exchange capacity while NPK treatments significantly (p<0.05) increased available phosphorus compared to the control treatments. Poultry manure(30t ha-1) treatments significantly (P<0.05) enhanced plant height, leaf number and leaf area in both cultivars after 6 months of growth as compared to all other treatments. Under the same treatments of poultry manure (30t ha-1) the white cultivar plants recorded the most significant mean yield parameters after 9 months of growth. The average tuber number per plant (8), tuber weight (250g), tuber length (14cm) and tuber girth (18.5cm) compared to the red cultivar average yield parameters: tuber number per plant (5.7), tuber weight (124.7g), tuber length (8cm) and tuber girth (14.5cm). Biochemically the application of various treatments of poultry manure and NPK fertilizers significantly (P<0.05) influenced the changes observed in the secondary metabolites studied. Two months after planting, NPK (150kg ha-1) treatments showed the most significant phenolic content (1.22±0.13mg eq catechin.g-1 FW) and flavonoid content (1.08±0.16mg g-1 FW) in white cv cocoyam plants. After 6 months of growth, the poultry manure (30t ha-1) treatments recorded the most significant protein content (5.04±0.38mg eq BSA.g-1 FW) and peroxidase activity (4.89±1.36 UE min-1) in white cv cocoyam plants while red cv cocoyam plants had the most significant glucanase activity (9.33±1.17 mg eq glucose g-1 FW). NPK (150kg ha-1) treatments in white cv cocoyam plants recorded the most significant polyphenol oxidase activity (4.99±0.10 in D330 nm-1 min-1 UE-1 g-1 FW) 6 months after planting. Keywords: Xanthosoma sagittifolium L. Schott; Minitubers; cation exchange capacity; Poultry manure; NPK fertilizers; yield parameters and secondary metabolites. DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/9-20-05 Publication date:October 31st 201

Germination of

 Introduction. Despite its socio-economic importance, cultivation of Garcinia kola Heckel is very limited due to poor seed germination. The literature gives contradictory information concerning this fact. Our study therefore aimed at (1) evaluating the variability in germination traits among seeds collected from different areas of Cameroon; and (2) testing the efficiency of some hormone treatments in improving the seed germination rate, which would promote cultivation of G. kola by rural farmers. Materials and methods. Six collections of seeds originating from six locations in Cameroon were subjected to pre-sowing treatments; soaking for 3 days at room temperature in cool distilled water (control), or in cool distilled water supplemented with either 10-4 M gibberellic acid (GA3), 10-4 M naphthalene acetic acid (NAA), 10-4 M 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), 10-4 M benzylaminopurine (BAP) or 10-4 M kinetin; they were then placed to germinate in laboratory conditions. Cumulative seed germination data were recorded for 30 weeks. Results. The pre-germination treatments had profound effects on the phenology of G. kola seed germination. Multiple shoots, multiple roots and callus formation were induced from seeds soaked in BAP, NAA and 2,4-D solutions, respectively. Analysis of variance showed a significant effect (p < 0.01) of seed collection on the germination velocity. Although the rate of germination was higher and the complete dormancy period lower in seeds treated with NAA than in seeds with other treatments, none of these seed treatments significantly enhanced germination. Conclusion. Variations in phenology responses of G. kola seeds to hormone treatments indicate that the tissues of this plant may be responsive in in vitro culture. Variations in seed germination velocity among collections may explain the current controversy over G. kola seed germination, and could help in further selection and domestication processes of this species

Propagation d'

Introduction. Irvingia gabonensis (Irvingiaceae) est un arbre fruitier des forêts denses humides dont les fruits et le bois sont très exploités par les populations locales. Plante allogame, la multiplication par semis entraîne une grande hétérogénéité génétique. Les techniques de multiplication végétative traditionnelle donnent un faible taux de multiplication. Le but principal de ce travail a été de mettre au point une technique de multiplication conforme in vitro des individus élites. Matériel et méthodes. Les microboutures ont été prélevées sur un plant d'Irvingia gabonensis portant des fruits mûrs. Après désinfection, elles ont été ensuite mises en culture sur un milieu dérivé de Murashige et Skoog dilué 4 fois (MS/4). Les effets de la kinétine ont été étudiés sur le débourrement et le développement des bourgeons axillaires. Les effets de la benzylaminopurine (BAP) ont été étudiés sur la prolifération des bourgeons des microboutures. Enfin, les effets de l'acide naphtalène acétique (ANA) ont été étudiés sur l'enracinement des vitroplants. Résultats. La kinétine à 3 mg$\cdot$L-1 a favorisé le meilleur débourrement et le meilleur développement des bourgeons axillaires. La BAP à 4,5 mg$\cdot$L-1 a permis la prolifération de 95 % des bourgeons de microboutures avec un nombre maximal de 5,1 bourgeons débourrés par microbouture. L'ANA à 2,5 mg$\cdot$L-1 a permis l'enracinement de 100 % des vitroplants issus des microboutures avec un nombre maximal de 12,6 racines par vitroplant et de 98 % des vitroplants issus des bourgeons isolés avec un nombre maximal de 9,2 racines par vitroplant. L'acclimatation des vitroplants a réussi à 88 %. Discussion et conclusion. En utilisant la BAP, 260 plants enracinés en conditions horticoles peuvent être obtenus annuellement à partir de 64 explants sains. Les résultats de ce travail ouvrent ainsi une nouvelle voie pour la production conforme de plant d'I. gabonensis qui pourront être utilisés pour la propagation et la domestication de cette espèce

Efecto de fitohormonas exógenas sobre la evolución de ciertos parámetros bioquímicos durante la embriogénesis de células somáticas de

Introduction. Pour introduire Ricinodendron heudelotii (Euphorbiacée) dans les agrosystèmes, des plantules ayant un système racinaire pivotant peuvent être produites par embryogenèse somatique in vitro. Nous avons étudié l’effet de quelques phytohormones exogènes sur certains paramètres biochimiques caractéristiques de l’embryogenèse somatique de l’espèce. Matériel et méthodes. Des cals et des embryons somatiques ont été induits par culture de fragments de feuilles sur un milieu de base enrichi en (1, 2 ou 3) mg 2,4-D·L–1 ou de combinaisons [2,4-D / kinétine] ou [2,4-D / BAP] impliquant différentes concentrations des hormones. Les extractions et analyses des sucres totaux, phénols, protéines totales et activité des peroxydases ont été faites après (30, 50 et 70) j de développement des cals. Résultats. Après 30 j de culture, les meilleurs pourcentages d’explants formant des cals ont varié de 72,1 % à 100 % selon les phyto-hormones utilisées. Après 50 j de culture, ces cals ont formé des amas globulaires de cellules en division (nodules embryonnaires). Après 70 j de culture, 17,4 % des cals ont différencié les embryons somatiques multiformes en présence de 3 mg 2,4-D·L–1; 23,1 %, en présence de [1 mg 2,4-D·L–1 + 1 mg kinétine·L–1] et 27,6 %, [1 mg 2,4-D·L–1 + 2 mg BAP·L–1]. La teneur en sucres a été la plus élevée à 30 j (formation des cals) et 50 j (formation des nodules embryonnaires sur cals), alors que les teneurs en phénols, en protéines et l’activité des peroxydases ont été plus élevées à 70 j (différenciation des embryons somatiques sur cals). Discussion et conclusion. À l’instar de ce qui se passe chez d’autres espèces végétales, chez R. heudelotii, les phytohormones exogènes interviendraient dans le contrôle du métabolisme des paramètres biochimiques impliqués dans la formation des embryons somatiques et de leur développement