Free-living nematode assemblages in the rhizosphere of watermelon plants in Nigeria: a baseline study

Summary Watermelon is increasingly produced and consumed in Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa. However, limited information exists regarding nematode pests and beneficial/free-living nematodes associated with the crop. The present study recorded the abundance and diversity of free-living nematodes from 50 watermelon fields across south-west Nigeria during 2016/2017. Of the 30 genera identified from soil samples, Cephalobus, followed by Rhabditis, Aphelenchus and Aporcelaimus, were predominant. Variation in nematode community structures across the 50 fields was apparent for mean maturity indices, metabolic footprints, feeding-type composition and coloniser-persister (c-p) structure. Faunal analyses characterised 52% of the fields as having stable and enriched soil food webs, which is beneficial for crop production. Significant correlations were apparent between some nematode genera and selected soil properties, and rainfall. This study provides the first information of free-living nematodes associated with watermelon from sub-Saharan Africa, offering novel and baseline information on their abundance and diversity in south-west Nigeria.

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Abundance and diversity of plant-parasitic nematodes associated with watermelon in Nigeria, with focus on Meloidogyne spp.

Nematology ◽

10.1163/15685411-00003340 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 22 (7) ◽

pp. 781-797

Author(s):

Tesleem T. Bello ◽

Danny L. Coyne ◽

Milad Rashidifard ◽

Hendrika Fourie

Keyword(s):

Nematode Species ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Parasitic Nematodes ◽

Plant Parasitic Nematodes ◽

South West ◽

Meloidogyne Enterolobii ◽

Baseline Information ◽

Sub Saharan ◽

Abundance And Diversity ◽

Plant Parasitic

Summary Little information is available for nematode pests associated with watermelon in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). This study recorded the abundance and prevalence of plant-parasitic nematodes from 25 localities across south-west Nigeria during 2016/2017. Of the 11 nematode species identified, those belonging to Meloidogyne spp. were predominant according to Prominence Values, followed by Helicotylenchus dihystera, Pratylenchus zeae and Scutellonema bradys. Morphological and molecular analyses revealed the identity of four species of root-knot nematodes: Meloidogyne enterolobii, M. incognita, M. javanica and M. arenaria (in descending order of abundance and occurrence). Meloidogyne arenaria is reported for the first time from south-west Nigeria, while S. bradys and Xiphinema nigeriense are first reports for watermelon. Significant associations were observed between the frequency of occurrence of the predominant nematode species and soil properties as well as rainfall. Results provide baseline information on the nematode pest occurrence on watermelon in Nigeria and in a wider context for SSA.

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Organic maize and bean farming enhances free-living nematode dynamics in sub-Saharan Africa

Agriculture Ecosystems & Environment ◽

10.1016/j.agee.2021.107846 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 327 ◽

pp. 107846

Author(s):

Janet G. Atandi ◽

Noah Adamtey ◽

Agnes W. Kiriga ◽

Edward N. Karanja ◽

Martha W. Musyoka ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Free Living ◽

Free Living Nematode ◽

Sub Saharan

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Modeling the interplay between demography, social contact patterns, and SARS-CoV-2 transmission in the South West Shewa Zone of Oromia Region, Ethiopia

BMC Medicine ◽

10.1186/s12916-021-01967-w ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Filippo Trentini ◽

Giorgio Guzzetta ◽

Margherita Galli ◽

Agnese Zardini ◽

Fabio Manenti ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Attack Rate ◽

Reproduction Number ◽

Demographic Factors ◽

School Closure ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

The South ◽

South West ◽

Mixing Patterns ◽

Sub Saharan ◽

Socio Demographic Factors

Abstract Background COVID-19 spread may have a dramatic impact in countries with vulnerable economies and limited availability of, and access to, healthcare resources and infrastructures. However, in sub-Saharan Africa, a low prevalence and mortality have been observed so far. Methods We collected data on individuals’ social contacts in the South West Shewa Zone (SWSZ) of Ethiopia across geographical contexts characterized by heterogeneous population density, work and travel opportunities, and access to primary care. We assessed how socio-demographic factors and observed mixing patterns can influence the COVID-19 disease burden, by simulating SARS-CoV-2 transmission in remote settlements, rural villages, and urban neighborhoods, under school closure mandate. Results From national surveillance data, we estimated a net reproduction number of 1.62 (95% CI 1.55–1.70). We found that, at the end of an epidemic mitigated by school closure alone, 10–15% of the population residing in the SWSZ would have been symptomatic and 0.3–0.4% of the population would require mechanical ventilation and/or possibly result in a fatal outcome. Higher infection attack rates are expected in more urbanized areas, but the highest incidence of critical disease is expected in remote subsistence farming settlements. School closure contributed to reduce the reproduction number by 49% and the attack rate of infections by 28–34%. Conclusions Our results suggest that the relatively low burden of COVID-19 in Ethiopia observed so far may depend on social mixing patterns, underlying demography, and the enacted school closures. Our findings highlight that socio-demographic factors can also determine marked heterogeneities across different geographical contexts within the same region, and they contribute to understand why sub-Saharan Africa is experiencing a relatively lower attack rate of severe cases compared to high-income countries.

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Climate Smart Agriculture as Final Goal: Use of Improved Cereals Varieties in Cinzana, Mali.

Journal of Agricultural Studies ◽

10.5296/jas.v5i1.10582 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 5 (1) ◽

pp. 50

Author(s):

Kalifa TRAORE ◽

Daouda SIDIBE ◽

Harouna COULIBALY

Keyword(s):

Food Security ◽

Water Conservation ◽

Crop Production ◽

Heavy Rain ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Improved Varieties ◽

Farmer Organizations ◽

Conservation Technology ◽

Sub Saharan ◽

Smart Agriculture

Climate variability and change are recognized as the greatest challenge to crop production and food security in sub-Saharan Africa. This work assesses farmers’ perception on the contribution of improved varieties of sorghum and millet in the search for food security in Cinzana rural commune of Mali in the current context of climate change.The methodology was based on focus group surveys with both, the decentralized technical services, administrative and municipal authorities, NGOs, farmer organizations and producers but also farmer exchanges visits on improved varieties tested in farmer’s field.The result shows that climate change is described by the majority of farmers (87%) as decrease in rainfall amount and length of rainy seasons, high increases in temperature and high deforestation and water scarcity. Unpredictability of climate, (80%), drought (70%) and heavy rain (65%) occurrence were identified as major perception of farmers on risks in climate for crop production and soil degradation. After farmers’ study tour, 80% of the participants mentioned a better growth of plants and increase of soil moisture with the use of contour ridges tillage as a water conservation technology. Adapted cycle (55%) and higher yield (37%) of improved varieties were farmer’s main drivers for adoption of improved millet and sorghum varieties.The study revealed that local farmers have substantial knowledge on climate variabilities and risks and also are aware of some adaptation strategies. However, for wide scale adoption of effective strategies, capacity strengthening appeared a prerequisite.

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Crop Production And Road Connectivity In Sub-Saharan Africa : A Spatial Analysis

10.1596/1813-9450-5385 ◽

2010 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Emily Schmidt ◽

Paul Dorosh ◽

Hyoung-Gun Wang ◽

Liang You

Keyword(s):

Spatial Analysis ◽

Crop Production ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Sub Saharan

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Response of Chickpea (Cicer aritienum L.) to Sulphur and Zinc Nutrients Application and Rhizobium Inoculation in North Western Ethiopia

Turkish Journal of Agriculture - Food Science and Technology ◽

10.24925/turjaf.v8i10.2040-2048.3414 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (10) ◽

pp. 2040-2048

Author(s):

Beza Shewangizaw Woldearegay ◽

Anteneh Argaw ◽

Tesfaye Feyisa ◽

Birhan Abdulkadir ◽

Endalkachew Wold-Meskel

Keyword(s):

Crop Production ◽

Block Design ◽

P Uptake ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Limiting Factor ◽

Rhizobium Inoculation ◽

Combined Application ◽

Nodule Volume ◽

P Application ◽

Sub Saharan

In sub-Saharan Africa, multiple plant nutrients deficiency besides nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) is a major growth-limiting factor for crop production. As a result, some soils become non-responsive for Rhizobium inoculation besides P application. Based on the soil test result, the soil of Experimental sites had low organic matter (OM), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), sulphur (S) and zinc (Zn)[xy1]. Hence, an experiment was carried out on-farm at Gondar Zuria woreda in Tsion and Denzaz Kebeles to evaluate the effect of Rhizobium inoculation, S and Zn application on yield, nodulation, N and P uptake of chickpea. The experiment included twelve treatments developed via factorial combination of two level of inoculation (Rhizobium inoculated, un-inoculated), three level of S (0, 15, 30 kg Sulphur ha-1) and two levels of Zn (0, 1.5 kg Zinc ha-1). The treatment was laid out in randomized complete block design with three replications. Results showed that the highest mean nodule number (15.3) and nodule volume (1.3 ml plant-1) over locations were obtained with Rhizobium inoculation integrated with 15 kg S and 1.5 kg Zn ha-1 which resulted in 37.8% and 116.7% increment over the control check, respectively. It was also observed that combined application of Rhizobium and 30 kg S ha-1 caused the highest (6.7) mean nodulation rating and seed yield (1775.5 kg ha-1) over locations which resulted in 86.1% and 28 % increase over the control check, respectively. Moreover, this treatment improved P use efficiency of chickpea. On the bases of observed result, it can be concluded that the response of chickpea to Rhizobium and P application can be improved by S application and Rhizobium inoculation with application of 30 kg S ha-1 with recommended rate of P and starter N is recommended for chickpea production at the experimental locations in Gonder Zuria Woreda.

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Food security impacts of industrial crop production in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review of the impact mechanisms

Food Security ◽

10.1007/s12571-019-00988-x ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

pp. 105-135 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Marcin Pawel Jarzebski ◽

Abubakari Ahmed ◽

Yaw Agyeman Boafo ◽

Boubacar Siddighi Balde ◽

Linda Chinangwa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Food Security ◽

Crop Production ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Industrial Crop ◽

Sub Saharan ◽

The Impact

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Genetic diversity of trypanosome species in tsetse flies (Glossina spp.) in Nigeria

Parasites & Vectors ◽

10.1186/s13071-019-3718-y ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Judith Sophie Weber ◽

Sen Claudine Henriette Ngomtcho ◽

Stephen Saikiu Shaida ◽

Gloria Dada Chechet ◽

Thaddeus Terlumun Gbem ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Genetic Diversity ◽

Protected Areas ◽

National Parks ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Tsetse Flies ◽

Insect Vector ◽

Limited Information ◽

Sub Saharan ◽

Dynamic Populations

Abstract Background Trypanosomes cause disease in humans and livestock in sub-Saharan Africa and rely on tsetse flies as their main insect vector. Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa; however, only limited information about the occurrence and diversity of trypanosomes circulating in the country is available. Methods Tsetse flies were collected from five different locations in or adjacent to protected areas, i.e. national parks and game reserves, in Nigeria. Proboscis and gut samples were analysed for trypanosome DNA by molecular amplification of the internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) region and part of the trypanosome specific glycosomal glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (gGAPDH) gene. Results The most abundant Trypanosoma species found in the tsetse gut was T. grayi, a trypanosome infecting crocodiles. It was ubiquitously distributed throughout the country, accounting for over 90% of all cases involving trypanosomes. Trypanosoma congolense was detected in gut samples from all locations except Cross River National Park, but not in the proboscis, while T. brucei (sensu lato) was not detected at all. In proboscis samples, T. vivax was the most prominent. The sequence diversity of gGAPDH suggests that T. vivax and T. grayi represent genetically diverse species clusters. This implies that they are highly dynamic populations. Conclusions The prevalence of animal pathogenic trypanosomes throughout Nigeria emphasises the role of protected areas as reservoirs for livestock trypanosomes. The genetic diversity observed within T. vivax and T. grayi populations might be an indication for changing pathogenicity or host range and the origin and consequences of this diversity has to be further investigated.

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Insect pollination and sustainable agriculture in Sub-Saharan Africa

Journal of Pollination Ecology ◽

10.26786/1920-7603(2021)615 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 27 ◽

Author(s):

Kumsa Tolera ◽

Gavin Ballantyne

Keyword(s):

Sustainable Agriculture ◽

Crop Production ◽

Abiotic Factors ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Population Declines ◽

Insect Pollination ◽

Pollination Services ◽

Agricultural Improvement ◽

Global Perspectives ◽

Sub Saharan

We are currently seeing an expansion of pollinator-dependent crops in many parts of the world, but also growing evidence for pollinator population declines and loss of pollinator habitat. Climate change and population growth will place additional demands on crop production, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Despite the wealth of evidence that improved management of insect pollinators can lead to substantial gains in crop yield, agricultural improvement strategies in SSA still emphasize the manipulation of abiotic factors and do not fully exploit the value of pollinators. In this article we review the importance of pollination services in sustainable agriculture, how global perspectives can inform our understanding of the situation in SSA, discuss successful pollination management, highlight where research and development are required, and suggest possible solutions to enhance the contribution of pollination services to sustainable agriculture in the region.

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