Perbandingan Indeks Keanekaragaman Serangga Di Wilayah Ekosistem Hutan Penyangga Taman Nasional Gunung Leuser Bukit Lawang

This study aims to determine the diversity index and the comparison of insect diversity index in Gunung Leuser Bukit Lawang National Park in the Buffer ecosystem area. The research method uses a quantitative descriptive approach. The population in this study were all animals classified as insects (Insecta). The samples used were insects in the buffer forest area with 3 standpoints (lines). The data analysis technique uses the Shannon–Wiener diversity index. The results showed that the insect with the highest significance index (INP) from the three lines (without stands, rubber stands, and cocoa stands) was Macrotermes gilvus, namely 91.71 (rubber tree stands), 87.54 (cocoa tree stands), and 57. 42 (without stands). The insect diversity index H' using (Shannon-Wiener Index) from the three lines without stands (-2), rubber stands (-1), and brown stands (-1) were “low”. The low diversity index of the buffer forest is because the buffer forest in Bukit Lawang is a homogeneous forest.

Comparative efficacy of essential oils of three aromatic plants as alternatives in the control of Phytophthora spp., agent of cocoa tree (Theobroma cacao L.) black pod disease in Côte d'Ivoire

This study aimed at comparing the efficacy of essential oils from three aromatic plants species (Cymbopogon citratus, Eucalyptus citriodora and Ocimum gratissimum) in vitro and in vivo against two Phytophthora strains (Phytophthora palmivora and P. megakarya) in a view to developing new biofongicides for the control of cocoa tree black pod disease. Essential oils were applied at four different concentrations (0.5; 1; 3 and 5 mL/L) in vitro and in vivo on leaf discs of three cocoa clones (NA32, PA150 and SCA6) whichsusceptibility is known. As results, all three essential oils significantly (p˂ 0.05) reduced in vitro mycelial growth of both Phytophthora strains and also reduced the leaf susceptibility to these strains. Inhibition rates in vitro of Phytophthora strains mycelial growth ranged from 83.80 to 100% for the essential oils of Cymbopogon citratus and Ocimum gratissimum species and from 17.7 to 100% for which of Eucalyptus citriodora species. In the biotests, the leaf susceptibility index of clone NA32 (susceptible) was reduced from 3.14 to 0.40. This correspond to reduction rates ranged from 64.87 to 86.70% of leaf susceptibility to both Phytophthora strains. Essential oils (HS and HO) from Cymbopogon citratus and Ocimum gratissimum species were most effective than which from Eucalyptus citriodora species. However, all three essential oils revealed antifungal properties. Therefore, they could be recommended as biofungicides for a sustainable control of cocoa tree black pod disease in Côte d'Ivoire.

Bionomics and Importance of an Emerging Pest Pseudotheraptus devastans (Distant) (Heteroptera: Coreidae) in the Cocoa Orchards of Côte d'Ivoire

The cocoa tree is a very important plant in Côte d'Ivoire (formerly known as Ivory Coast) with a production of 2,15 million tons. In spite of this performance, cocoa production is attacked by several pests of which the emerging ones are Pseudotheraptus devastans (Distant). These insects attack cherelles, pods, gourmands and young shoots. This study aims to locate these pests and determine their importance in the different cocoa production areas. The device used is total randomization. The leaching carried out in the orchard revealed the presence of P.devastans in all the cocoa producing districts. The means were 0,02 ± 0,00 to 2,35 ± 0,38 P. devastans / tree. The districts of Sassandra-Marahoué, Comoé and Montagnes recorded more P.devastans. However, the districts of Bas-Sassandra, Lagunes et Lacs had fewer P.devastans.

Efficacy of Chocolate on Hypercholestrolemic Rats

Chocolate comprises number of raw and processed foods produced from the seed of the tropical cocoa tree. Chocolate is produced from cocoa mass added with sugar and cocoa butter. Chocolate has been promoted for its health benefits, as it seems to possess substantial amount of antioxidant that reduces the formation of free radicals. Researchers concluded that chocolate containing higher amount of cocoa have higher procyanidins content, so higher antioxidant capacities. Evidence suggests that regular consumption of cocoa products containing flavanol may reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Thus, the present study was carried out to assess the effect of chocolate on lipid profile of hypercholesterolemic rats. The rats were grouped under three categories; Triton 400mg was injected to experimental rats to make it hypercholesterolemia. Based on the objectives a cocoa rich chocolate sample was developed using cocoa seed, cocoa butter, sugar and lecithin and the experimental hypercholesterolemia rates were feed with chocolate sample for duration of 20 days, and the lipid profile was analysed at initial and at final days of supplementation. During the period of supplementation, the Cholesterol and LDL level were decreased gradually which may be due to the supplementation of chocolate. Significant reduction was observed at 5% level. Thus, it was concluded that in the present study there was a significant effect on lipid profile of chocolate supplemented with hypercholesterolemic rats.

Peacock mites on cocoa in Peru (Acari: Tuckerellidae: Tuckerella): their economic importance and a key to species

Seeds from the cocoa tree, Theobroma cacao L. (Malvaceae), make up the raw materials for cocoa which is used to produce chocolate. In Peru, cocoa is produced mainly by smallholder farmers under a small-scale agriculture model. During March and September 2020, surveys of organic smallholding farms were conducted in four Districts of the Department of Piura in northwestern Peru. Three species of the family Tuckerellidae (peacock mites) were collected and identified from this region in Peru: namely Tuckerella ornata (Tucker), Tu. pavoniformis (Ewing), and Tu. knorri Baker & Tuttle. In this article, we report the presence of peacock mites affecting cocoa crops in Peru for the first time. The populations of peacock mites found in the cocoa trees were considerable and causing significant fruit damage. A key to the species of Tuckerella found in cocoa is presented.

Effect of biostimulant Banzaï and fertilizer on the yield of cocoa trees in the locality of N’gouanmoinkro, Central Côte d’Ivoire

In order to minimize production losses, and limit the use of chemicals, several organic products have been developed. The objective of this study is to assess the effect of biostimulant Banzai and fertilizer on cocoa tree productivity. Conducted in the department of Toumodi, this study took place in one device with a cocoa field that has received fertilizer in the last three years (DAE) and another that has received no fertilizer in the past three years (DSE). The results obtained showed that the plots that had been applied to Banzai produced significantly more pods than the control plots without application of the biostimulant. Compared to controls, the production rate of pods is greater than between 38 and 70% in the unprecedented fertilizer plots (DSE) and between 51 and 80% in plots with previous fertilizer (DAE). However, the production of pods in treated plots is more than three times high in the DAE than in the DSE. This study shows the positive impact of biostimulant use on cocoa yield. In addition, it shows that the use of fertilizers during the experiment could be abandoned with a view to greater use of organic products at the expense of chemicals that have a detrimental effect on the environment and on the long-term health of populations.

Involvement of farm youth in cocoa plantation resources management practices in Ondo State, Nigeria: a factor analysis

The study identified the factors associated with farm youth’s involvement in Cocoa Plantation Resources Management Practices (CPRMPs) in Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select a total of two hundred and four respondents for the study. The data were collected using a structured interview schedule and analysed using appropriate descriptive and inferential statistics. The results revealed that the average age of the respondents was 33.67 ± 6.50 years and that most (76.0 %) of the respondents were male. The CPRMPs respondents were involved and were categorised into soil, water, cocoa beans, cocoa tree, cocoa seedlings, and financial management practices. The majority (76.0 %) of the respondents were moderately involved in the CPRMPs in the study area. The factors associated with farm youth involvement in CPRMPs were economic pull (λ = 2.208), economic push (λ = 1.962), personal (λ = 1.785) and community-related (λ = 0.927) factors. The factors identified explained 83.314 % of the variance in farm youth’s involvement in CPRMPs. The study, therefore, recommends that there is a need to organise training on CPRMPs to farm youth to be able to optimise the potentials inherent in them for improving their livelihood.