Comparative toxicity of four local botanical powders to Sitophilus zeamais and influence of drying regime and particle size on insecticidal efficacy

The toxicity of Azadirachta indica seed powder and leaf powders from Plectranthus glandulosus, Steganotaenia araliacea and Annona senegalensis to adult Sitophilus zeamais was determined in the laboratory. The influence of drying regime and particle size on the insecticidal efficacy of P. glandulosus and S. araliacea powders was also assessed. The seeds and leaves were either dried under shade or sunlight, pulverized until the particles passed through a 1 mm or 0.2 mm mesh-sieve. Maize grains were admixed with the powders at the rates0, 5, 10, 20 and 40 g/kg for the assessment of mortality over a 14-d or 30-d period, as well as for population increase and damage. Within 14-d exposure, P. glandulosus powder caused the highest weevil mortality followed by A. indica. A. indica powder was by far more effective in reducing grain damage and population increase compared with all the other powders during three-month storage period. Powders from the leaves dried under shade compared with those dried under sunlight and the smaller compared with the larger particle size, caused higher weevil mortality. Neem seed powder and powdered leaves of P. glandulosus have a great potential in the protection of maize against S. zeamais infestation in subsistence storage systems.Keywords: Plant products, storage pest, maize, infestation, Cameroon

Characterization of Digestive Enzymes of Bruchid Parasitoids–Initial Steps for Environmental Risk Assessment of Genetically Modified Legumes

Genetically modified (GM) legumes expressing the α-amylase inhibitor 1 (αAI-1) from Phaseolus vulgaris L. or cysteine protease inhibitors are resistant to several bruchid pests (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). In addition, the combination of plant resistance factors together with hymenopteran parasitoids can substantially increase the bruchid control provided by the resistance alone. If the strategy of combining a bruchid-resistant GM legume and biological control is to be effective, the insecticidal trait must not adversely affect bruchid antagonists. The environmental risk assessment of such GM legumes includes the characterization of the targeted enzymes in the beneficial species and the assessment of the in vitro susceptibility to the resistance factor. The digestive physiology of bruchid parasitoids remain relatively unknown, and their susceptibility to αAI-1 has never been investigated. We have detected α-amylase and serine protease activities in all five bruchid parasitoid species tested. Thus, the deployment of GM legumes expressing cysteine protease inhibitors to control bruchids should be compatible with the use of parasitoids. In vitro inhibition studies showed that sensitivity of α-amylase activity to αAI-1 in the parasitoids was comparable to that in the target species. Direct feeding assays revealed that harmful effects of α-amylase inhibitors on bruchid parasitoids cannot be discounted and need further evaluation

Steam sauna and mother roasting in Lao PDR: practices and chemical constituents of essential oils of plant species used in postpartum recovery

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Fundamental in traditional postpartum recovery in Lao PDR is the use of hotbeds, mother roasting, steam sauna and steam baths. During these treatments medicinal plants play a crucial role, but little has been published about how the treatments are carried out precisely, which species are used, the medicinal properties of these species, and the medicinal efficacy of their chemical constituents.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Sixty-five interviews, in 15 rural villages, with women of 4 different ethnic groups were conducted to survey confinement rituals, and postpartum plant use and salience. Essential oils from the main species used were extracted using steam distillation and the main chemical constituents characterized using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A total of 10 different species were used by three or more of the ethnic groups included in this study. All species were used in steam sauna and bath, but only 3 species were used in hotbed and mother roasting. Essential oils of <it>Amomum villosum, Amomum microcarpum </it>and <it>Blumea balsamifera </it>were found to contain significant amounts of the following terpenes: β-pinene, camphor, bornyl acetate, borneol, linalool, D-limonene, fenchone, terpinen-4-ol and α-terpinene.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Many of these terpenes have documented antimicrobial and analgesic properties, and some have also synergistic interactions with other terpenes. The mode of application in hotbed and mother roasting differs from the documented mechanisms of action of these terpenes. Plants in these two practices are likely to serve mainly hygienic purposes, by segregating the mother from infection sources such as beds, mats, stools, cloth and towels. Steam sauna medicinal plant use through inhalation of essential oils vapors can possibly have medicinal efficacy, but is unlikely to alleviate the ailments commonly encountered during postpartum convalescence. Steam sauna medicinal plant use through dermal condensation of essential oils, and steam bath cleansing of the perineal area is possibly a pragmatic use of the reported medicinal plants, as terpene constituents have documented antimicrobial, analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties.</p

Genotype x environment interaction and optimum resource allocation for yield and yield components of cassava

Dry yield and yield components from 6 multilocational trials of cassava genotypes conducted for 3 years in Nigeria were used to study the nature and magnitude of genotype x environment (G x E) interaction and to determine the optimum resource allocation for cassava yield trials. The effects of environment, genotype and G x E interaction were highly significant for all yield traits. Variations due to G x E interaction were greater than those due to genotypic differences for all yield traits. Genotype x location x year interactions contributed most to the G x E interaction for all the yield traits. Therefore, to facilitate selection, zonation of cassava growing agroecologies into homogenous ecosystems using multivariate statistical approach should be done to minimise the influence of the G x E interaction. Testing at 3-5 locations for 2-3 years with 3-4 replications per location is the optimum combination that will not jeopardise precision in cassava yield trials

The influence of host genotype X environment Interactions on the response of cassava anthracnose disease in diverse agro-ecologies in Nigeria

Nine cassava (Manihot esculenta) genotypes were grown for three years (1992-1993, 1993-1994 and 1994-1995) in three agro-ecological zones in Nigeria to study their reaction to cassava anthracnose disease (CAD), caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, investigate genotype x environment (G x E) interaction patterns for their reaction to anthracnose, and to identify genotypes with stability of resistance to the disease. Mean squares for environments, genotypes and G x E interactions were highly significant (

Response of cassava genotypes to four biotic constraints in three agro-ecologies of Nigeria

Eight improved cassava ( Manihot esculenta check for this species in other resources Crantz) genotypes and one local variety were grown over three years in three agro-ecological zones of Nigeria, to study their response to natural infestations of African cassava mosaic disease (ACMD), cassava bacterial blight (CBB), cassava anthracnose disease (CAD) and cassava green mite (CGM). Additionally, genotypes with stable resistance using the Additive Main Effects and Multiplicative Interaction (AMMI) statistical model was identified. Environments, genotypes and genotype x environment (G x E) interactions were highly significant (P< 0.0001) for the pests, implying that the G x E effects were sufficiently high to mask differences among genotypes. The local variety, TME1, was more tolerant (30% severity) to cassava green mite across sites, compared to other clones, while clone 30001 exhibited the highest susceptibility to the pest (54%). Genotypes (30001, TME1 and 30573) gave lowest severity scores for ACMD. Clones used in the study, especially U/41044, 4(2) 1425 and 63397, showed tolerance to CBB and CAD with severity ratings as low as 2.0. Across test sites, CGM had the highest severity scores (3.12) averaged over 3 years in Ilorin (in the Southern Guinea savanna ecology). The lowest severity scores of this disease were observed in Ubiaja and Onne. The severity of ACMD and CBB was highest in Ibadan and Ubiaja and lowest in Onne and Owerri. Cassava anthracnose disease was more severe in Ibadan (score of 2.5) and least severe in Mokwa (1.12). For CGM the highest severity was recorded in the Southern Guinea savanna (score 2.88) and lowest in the humid forest zone. Correlation coefficients calculated between pairs of biotic constraints revealed that cassava bacterial blight was negatively correlated (r=-0.78) with the green mite but positively correlated with anthracnose disease (r=0.94). The AMMI model selected AMM11 for CGM and CBB, and AMM14 and AMM13 for ACMD and CAD, respectively, as the best predictive models since these models had the smallest actual root mean square prediction differences (0.60598 and 0.37646 for CGM and CBB, respectively and 0.37297; and 0.40929 for ACMD and CAD, respectively. Genotypes 30572, 63397, 50395 and 4(2)1425 with low ACMD scores and low IPCA1 scores were the most stable to environmental changes as they combined resistance with stability of response. Such genotypes would be most appropriate in breeding programmes

Effectiveness of binary combinations of Plectranthus glandulosus leaf powder and Hymenocardia acida wood ash against Sitophilus zeamais (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

Abstract Background Botanicals are generally assumed to be more biodegradable, leading to less environmental problems. Combination of botanicals could enhance biological activity against insect pests. Hence, the amount of botanical used for the control of stored grain pests may be minimised. In this study, the bioassay was carried out on Sitophilus zeamais to assess the effectiveness of binary combinations of Hymenocardia acida wood ash and Plectranthus glandulosus leaf powder. The quantities of mixed products were added to maize grains to constitute the contents of 5, 10, 20 and 40 g/kg. Then, the bioassays on toxicity within 1, 3, 7 and 14 days exposure, progeny production, population increase, grain damage and germination ability of protected grains were carried out. Results The major compounds (pinene, α-pinene, α-terpineol, thymol, β-myrcene and 3-carene) of P. glandulosus leaf powder were monoterpenes. The major non-monoterpenic constituent was an oxygenated sesquiterpene, β caryophyllene oxide. The chemical analysis of H. acida ash showed that calcium (5800 mg/kg) and phosphorus (2782 mg/kg) recorded higher content than the other minerals. Plectranthus glandulosus leaf powder, H. acida wood ash and their binary combinations significantly induced mortality of S. zeamais adult (P < 0.0001). The higher mortality rate was achieved by the highest content within 14 days of exposure. The combinations of P. glandulosus leaf powder with H. acida at different proportions produced different interactions. The mixture of 75% P. glandulosus and 25% H. acida produced synergistic effect, whereas the mixture of 50:50 had antagonistic effect in weevil mortality. The three combinations of H. acida and P. glandulosus significantly reduced the production of the progeny compared to the control. From the application of 5 g/kg (lowest content), the number of emerging adults was highly reduced. The combination 25PG75HA revealed to be more effective than the two other against F1 production. The grain damage and population growth were significantly reduced. In general, the non-infested maize grain had a good germination rate than the infested ones. The treatment did not have negative effect on seed germination. Conclusions From our results, the two powders and their binary combinations could be used to reduce grain infestation by insect while taking into account the proportions of insecticidal powders implied in the combination