African Pear (Dacoryodes edulis (G.Don) H.J.Lam) Physical Characteristics, Nutritional Properties and Postharvest Management: A Review

African pear (Dacoryodes edulis (G.Don) H.J.Lam), is an underutilized tropical fruit tree, native to Central and West Africa. Its edible fruit has a high nutritional value; it is a source of protein, micronutrients, monosaturated fatty acids and high oil content, and thus has a high economic potential. There is ongoing research to select optimum varieties from the wild for cultivation in agroforestry system. The high perishability of African pear is also a major drawback to its exploitation. The increased demand at national and international level in the last decades has motivated researchers to search for solution to extend its shelf life and minimise postharvest loss. This review includes varieties identification challenges, nutritional composition and health benefits of fruit from different origins as well as some contribution on postharvest management of African pear

The Potential of Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) Peels as an Organic Fertilizer

Cassava peels are in large quantity and practically of no economic value in many developing nations such as Cameroon, where cassava is widely consumed and processed far beyond other crops. Cassava peels might be used in those countries to face declining soil fertility and soil erosion. This study aimed to evaluate the composting of cassava peels and the effect of the increasing quantity of cassava peels in the bin during the process of composting and to assess some physico-chemical qualities, biological properties and the phytotoxicity of the produced composts. After three months of composting the produced composts (C1; C2; C3 and C4)  had a dark brown color, relatively dry, uniform structure and its texture were similar to the soil's texture. The electrical conductivity of the various composts was in between 1499 and 1924 µS.cm-1. The pH (6.50-6.73), was slightly acid, favorable for the cultivation of sweet pepper. The composts were rich in minerals (Mg2+; Ca2+; K+; and Na+) and poor in heavy metals such as (Cu, Zn and Mn). The composts C/N ratios were between 13.15 to 13.42. The produced composts showed a germination index and the rate of germination higher than 80% at all amounts, indicating the absence of phytotoxicity. The increased amounts of cassava peels did not alter the process of composting and increased the fungal and bacterial populations. In conclusion, cassava peels are good substrates that can be used to produce stable and inclusive organic fertilizers, with high nutrient content, and less hazardous material which could be used in farms to remediate declining soil fertility and to promote sustainable agriculture

Plant Extracts Induced Resistance to Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lycopersici in Tomato

Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) is the most consumed vegetable in the world after potato. In Cameroon, the plant is cultivated in almost all agroecological areas, however, yields remain low due to attacks by various pathogens and insects. Among the pathogens, Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lycopersici (FOL) is a phytopathogenic fungus responsible for Fusarium wilt, a disease responsible for enormous economic losses. To contribute to the control of this microbial pathogen, the stimulatory effect of the tomato defence system of extracts of some plants in the tomato/FOL interaction was evaluated. Tomato plants were treated with the aqueous extracts (AE) of Callistemon citrinus (C. citrinus), Cymbopogon citratus (C. citratus), and Oxalis barrelieri (O. barrelieri ). After 4 days of spraying with the extracts, the plants were inoculated with a virulent strain of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lycopersici (FOL) under controlled conditions. Tomato roots were used to determine the contents of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), phenols and malondialdehyde (MDA). The activities of the main antioxidant enzymes were also evaluated in tomato roots: catalase (CAT), phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL), peroxidase (POX) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). The results showed that treatment of tomato plants with plant extracts and their infection with FOL induced an increase in the contents of H2O2, phenols and MDA in tomato roots; an increase in PAL, POX, SOD activities and a reduction in CAT activity. Our results suggest that the increase and reduction of enzymatic activities, and the increase in the synthesis of some metabolites could mitigate the oxidative damage that takes place during the expansion of the pathogen. Aqueous extracts of C. citrinus, C. citratus and O. barrelieri at 10% (W/V) could be used as natural products to stimulate the tomato defence system against FOL. These results could contribute to the development of natural products to induce tomato resistance against FOL, thus improving productivity, quantity and quality of production

The Cultivation of Sweet Pepper (Capsicum Annuum) in Foumbot Agricultural Area, West Region, Cameroon

This study aimed to get information on the cultivation of sweet pepper from the North West Region of Cameroon (Foumbot).  Data for the study were obtained from 92 farmers with the aid of well-structured questionnaires. Results obtained showed that among the sweet pepper farmers, males represented 80% of the sampled population and women 12%, all of them aged between 18 to 48 years old. Their level of education varies from primary school to University with the majority found between primary school (48%) and secondary school (30%).  41% of the sampled cultivators have the greatest level of experience in between 10 to 30 years and 52% with the lowest level of experience varying from 1 to 10 years. The sweetest pepper varieties cultivated was Yolo wonder and Simba. 89 % of respondents had a sweet pepper field with a surface area between 0.5 and 1 hectare.  According to farmers, the nursery is usually attacked by fungi after one week of growth, which always cause stems rot.  Fungicides (Mancostar 80WP) and insecticides (Mocap EC, Timik, Plantineb 80WP, Jumper and Ascot) are the most chemical products used to treat stems rot. Cypermethrin and Mancozeb represent respectively 63% and 85% of active ingredients used by the sampled growers to fight against sweet pepper diseases.  46 % of the sampled farmers said that they prefer spray pesticides in all stages while 44% of sweet pepper farmers did not take note of the number of times, they applied chemicals pesticides on their crops. NPK: 20.10.10 is the most chemical fertilizer used to grow sweet pepper. The major diseases and pests encountered in that region are (1) diseases: Mildew, cercospora leaf spot, phytophthora blight, fusarium wilt, anthracnose, ripe rot, tobacco mosaic virus, cucumber mosaic virus, and gal formations; (2) pests: flee beetles, cutworms, aphids, vegetable weevil, caterpillars, grasshoppers, pepper maggots and leaf miners