Control of whiteflies and aphids in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) by fermented plant extracts of neem leaf and wild garlic

Whitefly (Bemisia tabaci, Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) and aphid (Homoptera) on tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) are economically important insect pests that are difficult to manage due to their resistance to a wide range of chemical pesticides. Field experiments were conducted to assess the effects of fermented plant extracts of neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss.) leaf and wild garlic (Tulbaghia violacea) on whitefly and aphid population. The population of both insect pests showed two different patterns with higher counts observed during summer than winter monitoring. During both seasons, numbers of whiteflies and aphids increased regardless of the treatment, but the numbers remained significantly lower within treated than untreated plots. The mixture of neem and wild garlic was more effective in reducing population densities of whitefly and aphid than either plant extract applied alone. In conclusion, results of this study suggested a synergistic effect of fermented plant extracts of neem and wild garlic as a bio-pesticide.Key words: Aphid, bio-pesticide, fermented plant extract (FPE), Solanum lycopersicum, whitefly

Seedling quality, plant growth and fruit yield and quality of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) in response to Trichoderma harzianum and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi

Existing evidence suggested that nursery inoculation with Trichoderma harzianum and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) could reduce deleterious effects of biotic and abiotic stresses and improve seedling quality, fruit yield and quality of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.). However, studies of their combined inoculation on seedling growth, fruit yield and quality of tomato plants are not well-documented. Experiments were carried out to investigate the combined effect of T. harzianum and AMF on tomato crop performance under various conditions. When combined with a T. harzianum and AMF mixture, seaweed extract from Ecklonia maxiama inhibited AMF root colonisation of tomato seedlings. Treating seedlings with a mixture of T. harzianum and AMF reduced the incidence of Verticillium wilt in tomato grown in a nethouse at early season, with negligible effect on fruit yield. Further investigations were initiated to find out whether T. harzianum and AMF were efficient when applied as a mixture or alone, at different inoculation times. Co-inoculation with T. harzianum and AMF (Glomus mosseae) improved seedling growth and development, except when both fungi were simultaneously applied two weeks after sowing. When the seedlings were allowed to grow up until full harvest in a greenhouse, both fungal inoculants increased total yield and marketable yield, but these increases were not significant. Furthermore, inoculation with AMF increased the percentage of extra-large fruit. Field experiments conducted under commercial tomato production confirmed greenhouse studies. Inoculation of tomato with T. harzianum and AMF, either alone or in combination increased early fruit yield (four first harvesting weeks). Throughout the studies, percentage AMF root colonisation in seedlings and plants remained low, despite nursery inoculation. Field experiments investigated the effects of AMF-inoculated transplants combined with biochar-amended soils on AMF root colonisation and their resultant effects on overall crop performance and microbial community structure. Biochar had no effect on AMF root colonisation, and also when combined with AMF, it had no influence on tomato productivity. Interestingly, biochar altered the fungal community while AMF might have influenced the bacterial community such as plant-growth promoting rhizobacteria, which are associated with improved plant growth, nutrient uptake and disease control in the rhizosphere. These benefits could contribute to improved yield and fruit quality. In conclusion, although the results were variable, there was a clear indication that T. harzianum and AMF can play an important role in tomato production.Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2012.Plant Production and Soil Scienceunrestricte

Baseline information on using fermented crude extracts from Cucumis africanus fruit for suppression of Meloidogyne incognita and improving growth of tomato plants

Bio-pesticides, when used as a post-planting pesticide, are limited by their potential ability to suppress the pest and their degree of phytotoxicity. Baseline information on the suitability of fermented crude extracts (FCE) of Cucumis africanus fruit as a post-planting bio-nematicide was determined on Meloidogyne incognita and growth of tomato in pot trials. Seedlings were inoculated with 1,130 eggs and juveniles/pot, while FCE  were applied weekly at 0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60% dilutions. At harvest, nematode and plant data were  subjected to analysis of variance and the curve-fitting allelochemical response data (CARD) computer-based  model, respectively. Relative to inoculation level, final nematode population density (Pf) at the same level of  inoculation was reduced, while increasing dosages had no effect on Pf and reproductive factor values. Since  increasing dosages had no effect on Pf, the material could possibly still reduce this variable when applied below  10% dilutions. Dosages used were phytotoxic to tomato plants, but CARD model demonstrated that the material stimulated plant growth at dosages below 10%. In conclusion, baseline information from CARD  model suggested that FCE from C. africanus fruit have the potential to serve as a bio-nematicide and  bio-fertiliser on tomato provided the material was applied below 10% dilutions.Key words: Cucumis africanus, bionemagation, effective microbe organisms, ground leaching technology, root-knot nematode

Yield and quality of tomato as influenced by differential Ca, Mg and K nutrition

Please read the abstract in the section "front" of this document.Dissertation (MSc (Agric) : Agronomy)--University of Pretoria, 2008.Plant Production and Soil Scienceunrestricte

GERMES INCRIMINES DANS LES OTITES MOYENNES SUPPUREES AUX CLINIQUES UNIVERSITAIRES DE KINSHASA, RD CONGO

L'otite moyenne suppurée est une infection de l'oreille moyenne caractérisée par un écoulement purulent à travers une perforation de la membrane tympanique. C'est une cause importante de perte de l'audition évitable. La prédominance des germes pathogènes de l'otite moyenne suppurée étant variable d'un pays a un autre, voir même d'une région a une autre d'où la connaissance des germes pathogènes de cette maladie dans un milieu donné se révèle très importante pour mener un traitement adéquat. Nous identifions  par cette étude le profil bactériologique de l'otite moyenne suppurée des patients qui ont consulté le service d'ORL des Cliniques Universitaires de Kinshasa et la sensibilité de ces germes au regard des antibiotiques utilisés. L'étude de la sensibilité a été faite par la méthode de diffusion en milieu gélose.  Il s'agissait de 7 femmes et 5 hommes avec 4 de plus de 44 ans soit 34%, 3 de 0 à 10 ans soit 25%, 3 de 33 à 43 ans soit 25%, 1 de 11 à 21 ans soit 8% et enfin 1 de 22 à 32 ans soit 8%. Le profil bactériologique était dominé par les entérobactéries (Klebsiella pneumonie, Citrobacter freundii et Shewanella putrefaciens), le Pseudomonas aeruginosa et le Staphylocoques aureus. Ces germes se sont montres tous sensibles aux fluoroquinolones (ciprofloxacine) et aux aminosides (amikacine).L'otite moyenne suppurée est une infection de l'oreille moyenne caractérisée par un écoulement purulent à travers une perforation de la membrane tympanique. C'est une cause importante de perte de l'audition évitable. La prédominance des germes pathogènes de l'otite moyenne suppurée étant variable d'un pays a un autre, voir même d'une région a une autre d'où la connaissance des germes pathogènes de cette maladie dans un milieu donné se révèle très importante pour mener un traitement adéquat. Nous identifions  par cette étude le profil bactériologique de l'otite moyenne suppurée des patients qui ont consulté le service d'ORL des Cliniques Universitaires de Kinshasa et la sensibilité de ces germes au regard des antibiotiques utilisés. L'étude de la sensibilité a été faite par la méthode de diffusion en milieu gélose.  Il s'agissait de 7 femmes et 5 hommes avec 4 de plus de 44 ans soit 34%, 3 de 0 à 10 ans soit 25%, 3 de 33 à 43 ans soit 25%, 1 de 11 à 21 ans soit 8% et enfin 1 de 22 à 32 ans soit 8%. Le profil bactériologique était dominé par les entérobactéries (Klebsiella pneumonie, Citrobacter freundii et Shewanella putrefaciens), le Pseudomonas aeruginosa et le Staphylocoques aureus. Ces germes se sont montres tous sensibles aux fluoroquinolones (ciprofloxacine) et aux aminosides (amikacine)

Yield and nutrient content of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) as influenced by Trichoderma harzianum and Glomus mosseae inoculation

Recent trends in soil microbiology suggest that fungal inoculants such as Trichoderma harzianum or arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) have the potential to improve yield and fruit quality of crops. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of inoculating tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) with T. harzianum and the AMF (Glomus mosseae) on yield and nutrient content of tomato fruit. A factorial experiment (3 × 3) with three application timings for each of T. harzianum and AMF, namely uninoculated control, inoculated before sowing and two weeks after sowing, giving nine treatment combinations was conducted in a greenhouse. Both T. harzianum and AMF increased total yield and marketable yield of tomato (P > 0.05). Inoculating tomato with AMF before sowing significantly increased the percentage of extra-large fruit, while inoculation with T. harzianum two weeks after sowing lowered the Ca and Mg contents of tomato fruit. T. harzianum and AMF inoculation increased the lycopene content, but did not affect the antioxidant activity, total flavonoids or vitamin C of the tomato fruit. Results of this study suggested that T. harzianum and AMF have the potential to influence yield and nutrient content of tomato in a greenhouse.http://www.elsevier.com/locate/scihort

Response of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) to nursery inoculation with Trichoderma harzianum and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi under field conditions

The effect of nursery inoculation of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) with Trichoderma harzianum and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) Glomus mosseae on fungal root colonization, plant growth, yield and quality of field grown tomato was investigated. The four treatments included T. harzianum, AMF, T. harzianum + AMF, and uninoculated control. At mid-harvest, 84 days after transplanting, no interactive effect of the fungi on the external mycelium growth was observed. Inoculation with AMF alone or in combination with T. harzianum increased dry shoot weight by 35% and 30%, respectively, during the first season, and by 30% and 21%, respectively, during the second growing season. Trichoderma harzianum increased the percentage of large fruit by 76% in 2008–2009, whereas AMF increased the percentage of extra-large fruit by 44% in 2009–2010. Similarly, AMF increased total soluble solids by 10%. Inoculated tomato seedlings with T. harzianum and/or AMF significantly increased early yield of tomato, by 10%, 65% and 70%, respectively, during 2008–2009, and by 27%, 36% and 37%, respectively during the 2009–2010 growing season. In conclusion, results of the study suggested that T. harzianum and AMF have the potential to improve growth, early yield and fruit quality of field-grown tomato.Financial support from Bertie van Zyl Pty (Ltd) ZZ2.http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/sagb2

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) seedling growth and development as influenced by Trichoderma harzianum and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi

Recent trends in soil microbiology suggest that certain soil microbes have a positive effect on seedling growth and development. A study was conducted to investigate the interactive effect of the plantgrowth promoting fungi Trichoderma harzianum and the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in growth and development of tomato (Solanun lycopersicum) seedlings grown under greenhouse conditions. A 3 × 3 factorial experiment was laid out in a completely randomised design with six replications. At harvest (42 DAP), when compared with the control, T. harzianum and/or AMF treated plants improved shoot length, root length, dry shoot mass and dry root mass. Pre-inoculation with AMF increased shoot N, P and S content of tomato seedlings, whereas pre-sowing with T. harzianum alone increased the shoot N. Generally, shoot Zn and Mn content were affected by both fungi, with the best result observed when AMF was applied 2 weeks after T. harzianum. The percentage of roots colonised by AMF was less than 15% regardless of the time when T. harzianum was applied. However, the percentage of roots colonised by T. harzianum was greater than 90% at all times. In conclusion, this study suggested that T. harzianum and AMF have the potential to improve tomato seedling growth and development.The authors acknowledge the support from Bertie van Zyl Pty (Ltd) ZZ2 for funding this work.http://www.academicjournals.org/ajm

Effect of arbuscular Mycorrhizal fungal inoculation and biochar amendment on growth and yield of tomato

A field study was conducted to investigate the interactive effects of pre-inoculation of G. mosseae and soil amendment with biochar on AMF root colonisation, plant growth, fruit yield and nutrient uptake of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.). A 2 × 2 factorial experiment arranged in a randomised complete block design included two G. mosseae treatments (inoculated at sowing or uninoculated) and two biochar levels (5 t ha-1 or unamended) with six replications. At mid-season, 12 weeks after transplanting, biochar addition did not increase the percentage of AMF root colonisation on tomato plants. Pre-inoculation with G. mosseae increased dry shoot weight and total plant weight by 11 and 9% respectively, whereas biochar amendment decreased dry root weight by 13%. Generally, pre-inoculation with G. mosseae and biochar did not affect leaf Ca, B, Cu, Mn, Na or Zn but lowered leaf P by 26% when compared to the uninoculated plants. Pre-inoculation with AMF and biochar addition did not affect tomato growth variables, yield or yield components. Results of this study did not demonstrate any benefit of combined application of AMF and biochar on the overall performance of tomato plants.http://www.fspublishers.orgam201

Nose and throat complications associated with passive smoking among Congolese school children

Objective: To assess associations between nose-throat (NT) diseases and passive smoking prevalence among school children.Methods: A cross-sectional survey was carried out on a randomized multistage sample of 381 school children (50.9% males, aged 9.8 ± 3.5 years) from Kinshasa town. Parents and children were asked to fill in a questionnaire detailing their smoking habits. The NT symptoms and diseases were assessed by the survey NT specialist.Results: The prevalence of passive smoking was 38.6% (n=147). Residence in peripheral areas, catholic school system, elementary level, exposure of family to passive smoking ,history of NT surgery, medicines and menthol inhaling, headache, nasal pain, dysphagia, odynophagia, dysosmia, dysphonia, pharyngeal irritation, dry throat, snooze, , and chronic pharyngitis were more reported by passive smokers. After adjusting for confounding factors, passive smoking (OR=16.7 95%CI 3.3-83.3), catholic system(OR=2 95%CI 1.2-3.2), and elementary degree(OR=1.4 95%, CI 1.1-2.1) were identified as independent determinants of chronic pharyngitis.Conclusion: Parents should not smoke in the same room used by their children.Keywords: Passive smoking, children, nose, throat, chronic pharyngitisAfrican Health Sciences 2011; 11(3): 315 - 32