Plant Science Research Papers/Topics

High Fertilizer Rates Increase Susceptibility of Tea to Water Stress

Abstract: A study to determine the association of fertilizer with soil water deficit in tea [Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze] was conducted in a rain-out shelter using potted plants, in which five rates of fertilizer (0, 75, 150, 225 and 300 kg Nitrogen ha−1) and six levels of soil water content (38, 34, 30, 26, 22 and 18% v/v) were applied in a complete randomized design and replicated three times.The soil water treatment was maintained for a period of 12 weeks during which shoot growth,...

Diversité génétique des variétés traditionnelles de niébé [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] au Sénégal : étude préliminaire

Abstract: Diversité génétique des variétés traditionnelles de niébé [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] au Sénégal : étude préliminaire Des missions de collectes ont été organisées dans les principales régions de production du niébé au Sénégal dans le but d’obtenir des informations sur la diversité morphologique et moléculaire au sein des variétés traditionnelles de niébé. Ces missions ont permis de réunir 58 accessions. Deux classifications des accessions collectées ...

Transaction costs magnitudes, market participation, and smallholder profitability in rural–urban vegetable supply chain

Abstract: Transaction costs are pervasive barriers in agricultural supply chains as they exclude farmers from profitable markets. Identification of these costs without reliance on proxy variables and their effects on smallholder profitability has not been empirically analyzed. The Heckman 2-step model was used to assess the effects of magnitudes of these costs on farmer profitability. Indirect monitoring and negotiation-related transaction costs had significant, positive, association with se...

Different Plant Viruses Induce Changes in Feeding Behavior of Specialist and Generalist Aphids on Common Bean That Are Likely to Enhance Virus Transmission

Abstract: Bean common mosaic virus (BCMV), bean common mosaic necrosis virus (BCMNV), and cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) cause serious epidemics in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris), a vital food security crop in many low-to-medium income countries, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. Aphids transmit these viruses “non-persistently,” i.e., virions attach loosely to the insects' stylets. Viruses may manipulate aphid-host interactions to enhance transmission. We used direct observation and ele...

Three aphid-transmitted viruses encourage vector migration from infected common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) plants through a combination of volatile and surface cues.

Abstract: Bean common mosaic virus (BCMV), bean common mosaic necrosis virus (BCMNV), and cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) are important pathogens of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris), a crop vital for food security in sub-Saharan Africa. These viruses are vectored by aphids non-persistently, with virions bound loosely to stylet receptors. These viruses also manipulate aphid-mediated transmission by altering host properties. Virus-induced effects on host-aphid interactions were investigated using ...

Susceptibility of five cabbage varieties to attack by aphids (Hemiptera: Aphididae) in the Accra plains of Ghana

Abstract: We investigated the susceptibility of five cabbage varieties (‘Oxylus’, ‘Super Cross’, ‘Vantar F1 Hybrid’, ‘Santa’F1 and ‘Fortune’) to aphids. Trials were set up in the Accra plains for two rainy seasons in 2017. The first trial examined aphid infestation and the second included weekly blanket spray of neem oil at 0.48 L/ha (60 ml/15 L water) during the second rainy season. Five systematically sampled cabbage leaves per plot were examined for the numbers of aphi...

Editorial: Root Adaptations to Multiple Stress Factors

Abstract: The unfavorable soil (low supply of nutrients, high levels of toxic elements, salinity, compaction) and climatic (drought, waterlogging, high temperature, low temperature) conditions reduce plant and crop productivity (Pereira, 2016). Low fertility soils, and extreme weather events resulting from climate change, are a major threat to global food security (Evans, 2009). Plants have evolved sophisticated adaptive mechanisms to withstand the multiple abiotic stresses to which they are...

The Endophyte Trichoderma asperellum M2RT4 Induces the Systemic Release of Methyl Salicylate and (Z)-jasmone in Tomato Plant Affecting Host Location and Herbivory of Tuta absoluta

Abstract: The use of endophytic fungi has dramatically increased plant performance through the enhancement of plant protection against abiotic and biotic stressors. We previously demonstrated that the endophytic fungus Trichoderma asperellum M2RT4 improves tomato defenses against the tomato leafminer Tuta absoluta through the reduction of oviposition, leafmining, pupation, and adult emergence. However, the underlying mechanism by which the presence of this endophytic fungus within tomato hos...

Integrating plant-to-plant communication and rhizosphere microbial dynamics: ecological and evolutionary implications and a call for experimental rigor

Abstract: The perception of airborne chemical signals by plants can trigger reconfigurations of their metabolism that alter their biotic interactions. While plant-to-plant chemical communication has primarily been studied in the context of eliciting defenses to herbivores and pathogens, recent work suggests that it can also affect plants’ interactions with their rhizosphere microbiomes. In this perspective, we discuss the potential for integrating the fields of plant-to-plant communication...

Enhancement of potato (Solanum tuberosum L) postharvest quality by use of magnetic fields – A case of shangi potato variety

Abstract: Production of potatoes in the developing countries has been on the rise. This reinforces the growing importance of potatoes throughout Africa, Asia, and Latin America as a source of food and livelihood. However, this crop continues to experience major postharvest losses that are associated with a lack of effective storage facilities in these regions. This study used magnetic fields (MF) as an innovative technology to reduce potato losses while under storage. The effects of test var...

Evaluation of Different Management options of Fall Armyworm, (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and Assessment of its Parasitoids in Some Parts of Ethiopia

Abstract: The fall armyworm (FAW) is a major pest of maize in America and its outbreaks in 2017 in Africa threatened maize, a staple food crop in the region. The effect of parasitoids, nine synthetic insecticides, eleven botanicals, five entomopathogens and pheromone lures have been studied against FAW in 2017 and 2018. Survey conducted in Jimma, Awash Melkasa, Hawasa, East and West Gojam identified three different species of parasitoids from FAW larvae belonging to Hymenoptera and Diptera. ...

Performance and Behaviour of the Leafhopper (Maiestas banda; Homoptera: Cicadellidae) Vector of the Napier Stunt Disease on Napier Grass (Pennisetum purpureum)

Abstract: Napier grass remains an important strategic grass species in east African mixed crop-livestock systems. However, production of several varieties of the grass remains constrained by phytoplasmic disease, Napier stunt disease (NSD), which is transmitted by the leafhopper, Maiestas banda. For smallholder farmers of western Kenya who rely on the grass for livestock feed and pest control in push-pull farming systems, effective control strategies of the disease and the vector remain elus...

In Vitro Regeneration of Treculia Africana Decne. from Embryo Explants On the Media of Murashige and Skoog (Ms) and Gamborg Et Al. (B5)

ABSTRACT The effect of three different concentrations of sucrose namely 2, 3 and 4% were investigated on the in vitro regeneration of embryo explants of Treculia africana Decne. on the media of Murashige and Skoog (MS) (1962) and Gamborg et al. (B5) (1968) respectively without any growth regulator. The experimental design was a 2 x 5 factorial in a completely randomized design with each treatment consisting of ten replicates. Results showed that while both media including control supported th...

Molecular and Phylogenetic Diversity Studies of Some Acha (Digitaria Spp.) Landraces of The Jos Plateau and Its Environments

ABSTRACT The evaluation of the molecular and phylogenetic diversity of Acha (Digitaria spp.) landraces of the Jos plateau and its environs, was carried out between 2012, 2013 and 2014.The phenotypic and genotypic characters of the different accessions showed that variability due to effect was more in genotype had more variability in genetic diversity for the morphological traits. Thirty accessions were collected from Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area(LGA) of Bauchi State; six LGAs of Plate...

A Review Of Opportunities And Challenges In Conservation And Use Of Medicinal And Aromatic Plants in Nigeria.

Nature deposited in Nigeria several beneficial plant materials especially medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) for the treatment of ailments through herbal preparations, and for other culinary, traditional, medical and pharmaceutical uses. Preparation of natural medicine and production of herbal remedies by use of MAPs have proved to be a great alternative to the substandard production, cost and inaccessibility of synthetic orthodox medicines to rural dwellers. Despite the opportunities, ther...


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