Caractérisation botanique et agronomique de trois espèces de cucurbites consommées en sauce en Afrique de l'Ouest : Citrullus sp., Cucumeropsis mannii Naudin et Lagenaria siceraria (Molina) Standl

Botanical and agronomical characterisation of three species of cucurbit consumed as sauce in West Africa: Citrullus sp., Cucumeropsis mannii Naudin and Lagenaria siceraria (Molina) Standl. There are in Côte d'Ivoire at least five species of cucurbit incorrectly called ""pistaches"" in town and cultivated at small scale by women for their oleaginous seeds that are a great importance in the sociocultural live of several peoples. Nevertheless, few studies aimed at the improvement of these plants (related notably to taxonomy, genetic resources collecting missions, genetic characterisation, agronomic evaluation, and selection) have been carried out. In order to set up a list of reliable traits that should be examined easily during and after collecting missions, we carry out in the present study, for three species (Citrullus sp., Cucumeropsis mannii Naudin and Lagenaria siceraria (Molina) Standl) a botanic description and an analysis of eleven agronomic traits: 100-seeds weight, germination rate, seedlings emergence time, matured fruit weight, matured fruit decomposition time, mean number of seeds per fruit, seeds shape, fruit diameter, fruit interior cavity diameter, flowering time, and fruiting time. Statistical analyses using nine of these traits showed that the three species can be completely distinguished with six traits whereas the three other traits allowed partial distinction. Low yields have been observed for the three species: 11.41 kg/ha of decorticated seeds for C. mannii, 18.51 kg/ha for Citrullus sp. and 75.14 kg/ha for L. siceraria. From the observed yield components, the possibilities to improve the production of these cucurbits are discussed

Observations préliminaires de la variabilité entre quelques morphotypes de voandzou (Vigna subterranea L. Verdc., Fabaceae) de Côte d'Ivoire

Preliminary observations of variability between some morphotypes of bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea L. Verdc., Fabaceae) from Côte d’Ivoire. Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea L. Verdc.), is a food legume mainly cultivated by women for whom it represents a source of income for the household. In Côte d’Ivoire, the cultivation of bambara groundnut is located in the western and northern parts of the country. These zones are characterised by contrasted agroecology including tropical rain forest and dry savanna. In these zones, bambara groundnut plays a key role in both food and culture of peoples. Four morphotypes of Côte d’Ivoire (ICU, BPR, RBU, NFU) were used in a preliminary study to assess the phenotypic variability between morphotypes. For each morphotype, 100 individuals were sampled to analyse 26 agromorphological traits selected from the list of bambara groundnut descriptors. Results of statistical analyses showed an important variability among morphotypes suggesting that 22 of these characters could be powerful to distinguish diversity among bambara groundnut morphotypes of Côte d’Ivoire. Three morphotypes (ICU, BPR and RBU) show a shorter reproductive cycle than the other (NFU). In our experimental conditions, morphotypes with a shorter reproductive cycle give a higher percentage of matured pods (87 to 95%), compared to morphotype NFU (60%). The morphotype ICU was particularly earlier, maturing 90 days after sowing (DAS), whereas the long reproductive cycle morphotype (NFU) required about 137 days. Based on the analysed agronomic traits, possibilities to improve bambara groundnut yield and to promote its cultivation in Côte d’Ivoire are discussed

Optimization of ISSR marker for African edible-seeded Cucurbitaceae species’ genetic diversity analysis

We applied a molecular approach using inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers on three African edible-seeded cucurbits (Citrullus lanatus L. Matsumura and Nakai, Cucumeropsis mannii L. Naudin and Cucumis melo var. agrestis L. Naudin). To obtain clear and reproducible bands on 1.5% agarose gels, we screened 21 ISSR primers and three parameters (annealing temperature, gel tray, and voltage and running time). The resolution of 11 ISSR markers was performed, with optimal annealing temperature (Ta) varying from 50 to 52°C. The best combination to obtain clear and well-distinguished band patterns was 1.5% agarose gel with a 20-lanes tray (6 mm width) at 80 V for 5 h. Applying the 11 ISSR primers on DNA extracted from an accession of C. lanatus, 66 bands with 4 to 11 bands per primer was observed.Keywords: ISSR, Cucurbits, genetic diversity, molecular markers, optimizatio

Macronutrient composition of three cucurbit species cultivated for seed consumption in Côte d’Ivoire

Dry seeds from three indigenous cucurbits [Citrullus lanatus var. citroides (Thumb.) Matsum. & Nakai.,Cucumeropsis mannii Naudin, and Cucumis melo var. agrestis L.] largely cultivated in Côte d’Ivoire andconsumed as sauce thickeners were analyzed for their proximate composition and compared to a locallandrace of peanut (Arachis hypogae L.). The protein contents were 29.23±1.74, 36±2.17, 29.55±2.09, and24.79±0.44% for C. lanatus, C. mannii, C. melo, and A. hypogaea, respectively. The highest estimates offat content was observed with C. lanatus (56.67±4.90%) followed in decreased order by the peanut(48.17±1.60%), C. mannii (45.89±4.73%), and C. melo (42.67±3.43%). The carbohydrate content for C.lanatus was 9.87±3.52% and C. mannii and C. melo had 13.86±3.64 and 23.18±4.80%, respectively. C.melo was then the highest in carbohydrate content whereas A. hypogaea has the lowest value(6.39±2.66%). The crude fibre contents for C. lanatus, C. mannii, and C. melo averaged 2.87±1.07,2.30±0.85, and 2.94±0.75%, respectively. The three cucurbit species were markedly low in fibre value,compared to the analyzed peanut (17.14±3.82%). As expected on the basis of several published data,ash content of seeds from indigenous cucurbits was generally low: 1.33±0.52% (C. lanatus), 2.50±1.38%(C. mannii), and 1.67±0.82% (C. melo)

Détermination d'un protocole adéquat pour la régérération de la cucurbite oléagineuse indigène

The present work was carried out to establish rapid in vitro propagation of the indigenous oilseed Citrullus lanatus. Efficiency of 3 protocols for seed decontamination was investigated. High level of seed sterilization was obtained after removing seed coat and soaking the seeds in 1.6 % sodium hypochlorite with a drop of Tween 20. Shoot tips, single node and cotyledon explants of 3 morphotypes have been screened for adventitious shoot formation in tissue culture. Best response in termis of multiple shoot induction was obtained from cotyledon proximal part with hypocotyl segmenet on Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with 1 mg/l 6-Benzylaminopurine, 30 g/l sucrose and 8 g/l agar. After 3 weeks of culture, 90% of cotyledon proximal parts induced shoot. An average of 12.6 shoots per explants and a mean shoot length of 8 mm were obtained after multiplication stage. Shoot induction appeared to be strongly influenced by genotype and explant type. The percentage of shoot induction from cotyledon proximal parts ranged from 23.3% to 64.0% according to the genotype. Efficient rooting was achieved on half-solid MS medium containing 0.1 mg/l 1-Naphthaleneactic acid or without growth regulator. Acclimatised plantlets were transferred to greenhouse where they grew and flowered like seeded plantlets

Genetic-based investigation of three prevalent waterborne protozoa parasites in drinking water sources in Daloa district in Côte d’Ivoire

Objective: Waterborne gastrointestinal protozoa pathogens are frequently associated with morbidity and mortality, in children under five years but these protozoa pathogens are scarcely investigated in quality control of drinking water. The objective of this study was to investigate the presence of waterborne protozoa such as Cryptosporidium parvum, Giardia intestinalis, and Entamoeba histolytica in various natural water sources from Daloa city using genetic markers. Methodology and results: A total of 34 water source samples comprising 2 from springs, 5 from hydraulic pumps, and 27 from wells were investigated. Water stored in containers was also analyzed and a survey was conducted on households’ water consumption habits. Species specific genetic markers were used to detect the presence of C. parvum, G.intestinalis, and E. histolytica. Out of the 34 sources surveyed, 14(41.2%) were infected with at least one of the 3 protozoa investigated. Twenty one (61.76%) out of the 34 Containers analyzed were found contaminated with at least one of the 3 parasites. About 15.2% of households surveyed used well water for drinking though it was shown that 48.14% of these wells are contaminated with waterborne protozoa. The detection of protozoa pathogen in some home containers and not in natural sources where the containers were filled, suggested that contamination may originate from containers through human actions. Low-income households should be aware of the risk of drinking water from wells and the need to boil or treated drinking water to avoid diarrheal diseases related thereto. Conclusion and applications: This study shows that the spring natural water used by people does not contain parasites unlike almost wells water that have real health risks if no treatment is performed before consumption. Practice good personal hygiene regarding water's storage containers and hand washing could reduce the risk of propagation of parasitic protozoa.Keywords: water supply; waterborne parasites; E. histolytica; C. parvum;p G. intestinalis

Macronutrient composition of three cucurbit species cultivated for seed consumption in Côte d'Ivoire

peer reviewe

Etude des caractéristiques botaniques, agronomiques et de la biologie florale du melon africain (Cucumis melo var. L. agrestis Naudin, Cucurbitaceae)

Study of botanic, agronomic characters and fl oral biology of African melon (Cucumis melo L. var. agrestis Naudin, Cucurbitaceae). African melon, Cucumis melo var. agrestis, is a cultivated crop for which dried seeds are used in preparation of sauce pistachio, a valuable food in Côte dʼIvoire. Few studies are concerned with this crop as compared to melon species cultivated in temperate countries. Agronomic and morphological characteristics of C. melo var. agrestis are studied based on eight characters: germination rate, emergence time, date of fl owering, duration of life cycle, weight of mature berries, mean number of seeds per berry, weight of 100 seeds and seeds shape. Floral biology and mating system are studied on the basis of 19 parameters. Results of these studies showed that C. melo var. agrestis has a life cycle duration of 110 to 150 days varying with seasons. The mean number of berries per plant is variable (5 to 15) and the percentage of seeds per berry is low (6,83%). African melon is andromonoecious with a phenological interval between male and hermaphrodite fl owers occurrence. The pollen grains of hermaphrodite fl owers are viable and the stigmata are mature before fl owers are opening. The implications of fl oral biology on the mating system are discussed in view of yield breeding and study of gene fl ow among individuals on fields