In vitro Evaluation of PHYTOSANEB-020, A Biopesticide for the Control of Mealybug (Planococcus ficus) on Rosa multiflora and Bougainvillea spectabilis in Kimwenza-Mission

This study focused on the in vitro evaluation of the effectiveness of Phytosaneb-020, a bio-pesticide on Mealybug Planococcus ficus (Signoret) which infests Rosa multiflora (Rosa polyantha) and Bougainvillea spectabilis. Three treatments were used: Phytosaneb-020, Pacha a chemical insecticide and aqueous solution (distilled water) as a negative control. A volume of 1.5 mL for an area of ​​56.72 cm2 corresponding to the area of ​​a Petri dish, used for each treatment. Populations of Maconellicoccus hirsutus were carefully collected from bougainvillea leaves and roses. Pacha gave the highest mortality percentage for direct toxicity by contact (98.3± 2.89%) followed by Saneb-020 (93.3 ± 7.64%). The negative control, distilled water, was not effective against the insects. No death was observed (0%). The repellency effect assay revealed a repellent activity of 80% ± 20 for Saneb-20. Distilled water gave the best avoidance effect (86.7±11.6%) pointing out the fact that Mealybug Planococcus ficus doesn’t support the presence of water. Pasha exhibited low repellency effect on Mealybug Planococcus ficus (46.7±41.6%). Further investigations on different pests are strongly suggested and encouraged to improve the effectiveness of this biopesticide.

Species Diversity of Arthropods Founds in Refuse Dumpsites in Ifite Awka, Anambra State and Its Public Health Risk

A survey of some refuse dumpsites in Ifite, Awka, Anambra, Nigeria State were carried out for 5 weeks to determine the arthropod vectors associated with those refuse dumps and their relative abundance per site and species diversity. Five refuse dumpsites were randomly selected based on their composition and human activities within the environment. The sampled sites are Commissioners Quarters (site A), Second Market (site B), Miracle Junction (site C), Star-Lodge Junction (site D) and Wintess Hotel (site E). Fourteen species of arthropods were collected in eight orders and eleven families namely; Muscidae, Culicidae, Blattidae, Calliphoridae, Formicidae, Elateridae, Xystodesmidae, Polydesmidae, Acrididae, Lygaeidae and Selonopidae. The most abundant vector species encountered in all five study sites was Musca domestica, the dominant species, followed by Aedes. spp., and P. americana which occurred in all study sites except site A. Site A, M. domestica 12 (38.71%), followed by A. aegypti 6 (19.35%), site B, M. domestica 15 (25.42%), followed by A. aegypti 12 (20.34%) and P. Americana 10 (16.95%), site C, M. domestica 17 (28.89%), followed by A. aegypti 7 (15.56%) and P. Americana 5 (11.11%), site D, M. domestica 17 (27.42%), followed by A. aegypti 11 (17.74%) and P. americana 7 (11.29%), site E, M. domestica 30 (32.26%), followed by A. spp.,17 (18.28%) and P. Americana 16 (17.20%).The abundance of these vectors suggests the prevalence of arthropod vector borne disease in Ifite, Awka environment. Proper disposal of refuse dumps and public enlightenment on the dangers of indiscriminate dumping of refuse to the general public is highly recommended to avert health and environmental problems associated with these arthropod vectors.

Potential Impact of Climate Change on Six Economically Important Horticultural Crops in West Africa

Colocasia esculenta (taro), Ipomoea batatas (sweet potato), Abelmoschus esculentus (okra), Ananas cosmosus (pineapple), Musa paradisiaca (plantain), and Anacardium occidentale (cashew) are economically important horticultural crops in West Africa, which are widely grown across the region under rain fed conditions. They are very important set of crops that provides income for the individuals involved with it and thus contributing to economy of West African nation’s. For Predicting the potential future habitat suitability of these crops under different climate scenarios holds significance for their continuous cultivation and effective management. The Maxent model was used in this study to predict habitat suitability of these crops under current and future climatic conditions based on two representative concentration pathways (RCP4.5 and RCP8.5) for the years 2050s and 2070s. The data used were the occurrence records from Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) and WorldClim’s bioclimatic environmental predictor variables. The findings of this experiment showed that the habitat suitability of some crop species will =decrease and in some it will increase. Suitable habitat was predicted to decrease within the semi-arid and arid areas of the region, especially on those countries in northern part which includes Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso, as early as by 2070s. For species like okra, sweet potato and taro, there will be further decline as predicted under the higher emission scenario of RCP 8.5. The suitable habitat for cashew remained stable for future in all the models and scenarios used. This work provides the first theoretical guidance for possible future cultivation of these horticultural crops in the West Africa.

The Biggest Peaceful Protest against Corporations in Human History—Daring Farmers of India

The current crisis in Indian agriculture warrants solutions, but in consultation with farmers and related institutions; unlike the imposition of Farming Reforming Bills passed by the Indian Government on 20-22 September 2020. The three recent Indian Government’s Farming Reform Acts i.e. Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce; Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act; and Essential Commodities Act, have caused frustration and agitation among millions of farmers, farm-workers, and the general public since September 2020. The agitation continues to date and has expanded to almost every state and territory. The government has failed to understand the fundamental farmers’ perspective—agriculture is their heritage, not a business. The main reason for the design of these Acts is that policymakers within the government do not understand the true value of agricultural economy in villages which are the foundation of India, and instead prefer to liaise with corporations for business gains while compromising the needs of millions of people. This article provides a critical analysis of the current agricultural situation in India.

Adoption of Conservation Agriculture in Eastern Kenya: Identified and Measured Indicators of the Sustainability of the C.A Practices

Conservation agriculture (CA) is fronted as the solution to sub Saharan Africa food insecurity problems in light of climate change. Sustainability of agricultural landscapes has become a primary issue for policy-makers and land managers at different hierarchical levels including farmers, advisors, policy-makers, and scientists as reflected in many of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs focus on ending poverty, protecting the planet, and ensuring prosperity for all, as part of the new sustainable development agenda initiated in 2015 to precede the Millennium development goals. With the recognition that Sustainability assessment needs to move from global and regional scale to local scales to enable people measure their progress towards sustainability, a conceptual model guides the sustainability assessment approach adopted for this study. The AESIS framework is adopted for indicator selection and representation. This study sought to evaluate the agro-environmental and socio economic sustainability of Conservation Agriculture as practiced in Kenya. Results show that 8 out of 24 indicators performances are rated as best, 5 indicators performances are rated as good, 4 indicators performances are rated as moderate while 7 indicators performances are rated as either unacceptable or limited forming a basis for the points of improvement in agro-ecosystems under conservation agriculture.

Population Studies of Deer (Odocoileus virginianus, Mazama americana) in Southern Yucatán, Mexico

Aims: Estimate the population density of deer in the municipality of Tzucacab, Yucatán in the periods of 2003-2004, 2007-2008 and 2008-2009, determine the use of the habitat by these populations and the sustainability of the deer harvest from the estimated population densities. Study Design: A descriptive and vertical free-living deer population study was carried out in southern Yucatan, Mexico over a three-year period. Methodology: The map of the municipality of Tuzcacab was zoned in quadrants of 36 km2, completing a total of 36 quadrants; Unrestricted random sampling was applied to select seven quadrants in the period from 2003 to 2004 and 18 in each annual period between 2007 and 2009. Population samplings were carried out by applying three population estimation methods: direct sighting in a linear transect of 5 km in length, count of tracks in transect except period 2003-2004 and faecal pellets group count in plots. The evaluation of the use of habitat was carried out using the Bonferroni intervals, from the data of faecal pellets count. The evaluation of the deer harvest was carried out using the sustainable harvest model. Results: The population densities were different in each method, the density by the excreta count was 4.63 ± 2.49 deer / km2 in 2003-2004, 0.294 ± 0.198 deer / km2 in 2007-2008, and in the year 2008-2009 was 0.419 ± 0.0000085 deer / km2. Habitat use in 2007-08 and 2008-2009 was higher in the tropical forest, lower in agriculture and similar to that expected in secondary succession forest (acahual). The values of sustainable harvest, taking as a value the density per count of excreta in the plot because it showed the highest statistical precision, in the period 2003-04 it is sustainable, but in the period from 2007 to 2009 it is not sustainable. Conclusion: The population densities of deer (O. virginianus and M. americana) in Tuzcacab by means of the excreta count method, have decreased significantly. The habitat use preference is the tropical forest. The deer harvest in the period from 2007 to 2009 is not sustainable.

Mariculture in Southern Central Region, Vietnam: Status and Orientation Toward Sustainable Development

The development of aquaculture, especially in mariculture, contributes to satisfy the increasing demand for aquatic food, but it also faces serious socio-economic and environmental issues. This is also consistent with aquaculture in the Southern Central Region (SCR), Vietnam. The paper conducted to evaluate the mariculture status and activities by questionnaire interviews of 255 mariculture stakeholders (cages/rafts owners) and their challenges by in-depth interviews of 16 aquaculture managing officers at eight provinces in SCR, 2018-2019. The results showed an assessment of the current status of mariculture, SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) analysis, and orientation strategies of mariculture development. For a long time, the aquaculture area has not varied considerably, and mainly distributed in inland, coastal and off-coastal waters, almost it is not implemented in the open sea yet. Mariculture was also challenged by various concerned issues: various types of mariculture and species, small scale, outdated traditional technology, and labor force with fair practices in mariculture. Almost them are made the challenge for aquaculture expansion and implementation in open seas. Moreover, capital sources and credit access of stakeholders, and enterprise's investment are key factors to develop offshore mariculture. Based on the results of SWOT analysis, five strategies are proposed for sustainable development of mariculture in the SCR, as well as to meet the objectives of Vietnam's mariculture strategy. It is noted that when developing mariculture on an industrial scale to increase commercial products, the small- and medium-scale ones are vulnerable, so expansion and development of mariculture should be combined with the creation of job opportunities, reduction of poverty alleviation and economic growth and sustainability.

Comparison of the Growth Performance of Three Commercial Hybrid Chicken Varieties Using Grain Based Feeds

In poultry, feed costs represent a major part of total production costs. Accordingly, improvement of feed conversion ratio; feed intake: weight gain should be a major objective in most breeding programmes. Growth performance of three commercial broiler hybrids in Nigeria were investigated using a total of 60 unsexed day old chicks consisting of 15 each of Rhode Island White, Plymouth Rock and Rhode Island Red; and 15 of the purebred, the Nigerian Southern light ecotype used as control. The breeds were maintained separately in wooden cages of dimension 120cm × 80cm × 40cm at stocking density of 15 birds per m2 and fed for six weeks using broiler starter feed for first four weeks and finisher feed for next two weeks. The broiler starter feed was composed of broiler concentrate (energy Keauka) 2950Kcal, crude protein 2.1%, crude fibre 4.0%, calcium 1.0%, Available phosphorus 0.48%, cysine 1.2% and methionine 0.5%. The finisher’s diet consisted of 1:1.8 mixtures of broiler concentrate and maize meal. No medication was provided during the study. The result showed Rhode Island White had highest maximum weight gain (2874.43% initial weight), Plymouth Rock (1053.14% initial weight) intermediate and Rhode Island Red (986.12% initial weight) lowest. The pure breed weight gain (441.50% initial weight) was lower than the hybrids. Average feed conversion ratio was highest for Rhode Island White (0.394±0.0047), intermediate for Plymouth Rock (0.373± 0.0051) and Rhode Island Red (0.366± 0.0048) next. The difference was significant (P< 0.05). The purebred had the lowest feed conversion ratio (0.346± 0.0047). Rhode Island Red had the lowest mortality (0%), Rhode Island White (6.67%) intermediate and Plymouth Rock next (20%). The purebred had the highest mortality (33.33%). The study showed Rhode Island White was the most economically viable breed due to its higher growth rate, feed conversion ratio and low mortality rate.

Influence of the Beneficial Microorganisms Bioformulations on the Soil Physicochemical Parameters and the Nutritional Profile of Abelmoschus Esculentus Cultivated in Cameroon

Abelmoschus esculentus, a plant cultivated in tropical and temperate regions throughout the world, is highly appreciated for its various uses. Its culture encounters difficulties, particularly in Cameroon, due to soil infertility. In order to overcome this difficulty, the use of biological fertilizers in order to regenerate agricultural soils for more production is suggested. Three types of formulations were prepared after in vitro compatibilities tests, T1 (B. amyloliquefaciens and T. harzianum); T2 (B. velezensis and B. amyloliquefaciens) and T3 (B. velezensis and T. harzianum) with the aim of improving soil physicochemical; agromorphological and nutritional profile of okra. The plants were cultivated in 4.5 m² plots, arranged in complete randomized blocks design. ANOVA revealed significant differences between T1treatment and the other treatments and with the T0 control in plant height with the growth rate of 1.144cm/day, fruit length (11.53±0.49cm) and the average weight of fruits per treatment (1868.00±279.45g) at the significance level of P<0.05 (Tukey test). The productivity of treatment T1 per hectare (16.604±2.48t/ha) was highly significant compared to the other treatments and the control (8.53±1.49t/ha). Parameters such as disease resistance, leaf area and number of leaves were not significant between treatments but with the control. The values obtained with T1 treatment were high compared to the others. Regarding nutritional properties, the Na, K, Mg, Cu, Fe, Zn, carbohydrates and proteins contents were significantly increased compared to the control with contents values above the same okra variety. These different results may suggest the use of bioformulation with B. amyloliquefaciens and T. harzianum in order to improve soil fertility and to produce a sufficient quantity and quality of biofortified okra.

Climate Change and Fisheries: Perspectives from Small-Scale Fishing Community in Badagry, Lagos, Nigeria

The present study focused on impact of climate change on livelihood of Ganyingbo fishing community in Badagry, from June to September, 2020. Data were collected through administration of 58 structured questionnaires to artisanal fishermen while test of significance of research hypotheses was conducted using chi-square and t-test at 95% confidence interval. The results showed that the fisher folks composed of 83% male and 17% female. The most common age group among fishermen was 30-39 years (27.58%) and 57% do not have other job apart from fishing. Majority (37.93%) of the fishermen did not attain beyond secondary school education while only 3.45% had tertiary education. Calculated coefficient of marketing efficiency indicated that 54.8% and 72.26% of their sales revenue were taken up by costs before and after the effect of climate change respectively. Total expenditure of fishermen increased by 24.9% while income decreased by 5.26%. The t-test analysis indicated significant (p<0.05) difference between the total cost associated with fishing in Ganyingbo before (N17850.0± 2015.22) and after (N22300.0 ± 6297.40) effect of the climate change. Fishermen (87.93%) believed that adopting coping strategies to mitigate the climate change is germane for artisanal fisheries systems. A significant (p<0.05) difference was observed (X2 = 30.56: 9.49) between expected and observed perspective of fishermen based on viability of artisanal fisheries in Ganyingbo community. As noted in this study, fishing business in Ganyingbo is still viable however more effective mitigation measures are required to ensure its sustainability.