Maize farmers in sub-Saharan Africa recently experienced unusual damage in their farms, attributed to the fall armyworm (FAW) Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith). This pest was first recorded in Africa in 2016, but detailed information on its distribution and damage and farmer’s response in invaded areas are largely lacking. In this study, we determined FAW distribution, genetic diversity, host plants, crop damage, and farmers’ responses. S . frugiperda was recorded in the 10 regions of Cameroon. Average percentage of infested plants and damage severity (on a scale of 1 to 5) were lowest—20.7 ± 7.4% and 2.1 ± 0.1 respectively—in the Sahelian regions and greatest—69.0 ± 4.3% and 3.1 ± 0.1 respectively—in the Western Highlands. Altitude did not influence FAW incidence and severity and its larvae infrequently co-occurred with maize stemborers on the same plants, suggesting possible direct and/or indirect competition between the two groups of maize pests. In response to this new threat to maize production, farmers have opted for the application of synthetic pesticides. Although our experiments were not designed to determine pesticide efficacy, as parameters such as time since application were not considered, our observations suggest lack of a drastic effect on S . frugiperda infestations on maize. There were two haplotypes of FAW co-occurring in Cameroon corresponding to the rice and corn strains and separated by 1.7% sequence divergence, which does not support the existence of cryptic species. S . frugiperda larvae were also recorded on Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench (10.6%), Solanum tuberosum L. (2.8%), Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam. (1.9%), Saccharum officinarum L (0.8%), Phaseolus vulgaris L. (0.4%) and Gossypium hirsutum L. (1.9%). This study show that two strains are present in all agroecological zones in Cameroon, and probably in neighboring countries of central Africa sharing the same agroecologies. Management options should therefore consider the use of specific natural enemies and an informed decision of intervention based on strain capture and damage threshold, to avoid pesticide resistance that may arise from inadequate use of chemicals. Further studies should also be undertaken to assess the response of the two S . frugiperda strains to biopesticides and botanical insecticides.

Mots clés : Zones agro-écologiques, éléments minéraux, analyse des sols, manioc, rendement. TEMEGNE et al. / Int. J. Biol. Chem. Sci. 9(6): 2776-2788, 2015 2777 Effect of soil chemical composition on nutrient uptake and yield of cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz, Euphorbiaceae) in two agro-ecological zones of Cameroon ABSTRACT A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of soil chemical composition on nutrient uptake and yield of cassava in two agro-ecological zones of Cameroon. Soil and plant samples were obtained from twelve month old pure culture cassava fields at Ekona (zone 4) and Ongot village (zone 5). An improved variety (8034) and two local varieties (Local Red at Ekona and Bassa Noire at Ongot) were used. Results showed that the soil from Ekona (Andosol) was significantly higher in nutrients (total nitrogen: 1.34%; phosphorus available: 15 mg.kg -1 ) than the soil from Ongot [(Ferralsols), (total nitrogen: 0.11%; phosphorus available: 4 mg.kg -1 )]. The improved variety accumulated significantly more total fresh biomass and root yield than the local varieties, irrespective of the site. Similarly, nutrient uptake was higher with the improved variety across the zones. A positive and highly significant correlation (r 2 :0.999, p<0.001) was observed between nutrient uptake by cassava and soil nutrient availability. Thus, it may be concluded that the quantity of nutrient in the leaves and roots of cassava is proportionate to the quantity of nutrient elements in the soil. This preliminary result constitutes a solid base for the determination of an appropriate fertilizer scheme for cassava cultivation in Cameroon.

Ants have been shown as particularly affected by land disturbance through deforestation and conversion of forest to agriculture. The effect of land use change on ant diversity in the Congo Basin is not well known. We conducted intensive sampling along a gradient of increasing vegetation disturbance to test the effect of habitat disturbance on ant diversity and Functional Groups composition. Sampling was conducted in 30 plots (5 study sites 9 3 habitat 9 2 plots/habitat), replicated six times in 1 year. In each plot, ants were monitored with pitfall traps, quadrats and baits. We recorded 237 ant morphospecies grouped in 10 subfamilies and 43 genera. Myrmicaria opaciventris was the most abundant species followed by Anoplolepis tenella. Forest had greater ant diversity compared with fallows and mixed-crop fields. Functional groups were dominated by Opportunists, followed by Omnivorous Arboreal Dominants and Generalized Mymicinae. Their composition was not affected by the disturbance, but occurrence of Specialist Predators decreased with increasing disturbance. Occurrence of Generalized Myrmicinae, Opportunists and Subordinate Camponotini increased with disturbance. These results indicate that forest conversion into mixed-crop fields reduce ant diversity. It can also increase abundance of species with generalized diet that predominates where stress and disturbance limits other ants.

Management of the banana root borer (BRB), Cosmopolites sordidus (Germar; Coleoptera: Curculionidae), remains a challenge in banana and plantain production worldwide. Synthetic pesticides remain the most widely used solution while mycoinsecticides are increasingly being recommended. In this study, we selected indigenous isolates of Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae collected from plantain fields in Cameroon, and tested them in the laboratory for their viability, pathogenicity and virulence against all C. sordidus life stages. Of 13 isolates initially screened for spore germination and pathogenicity to adult weevils in conidial suspension of 3.2 × 108 conidia/ml, eight isolates with high to moderate germination and highest weevil mortality were selected for dose–response bioassays with four concentrations per isolate: 3.2 × 102, 3.2 × 104, 3.2 × 106 and 3.2 × 108 conidia/ml. The virulent isolates from adult bioassays were tested with eggs, larva and pupae in conidial suspension of 3.2 × 108 conidia/ml. Isolates performance depended on insect life stage with significantly high pathogenicity and virulence against larval, pupa and adult stages. The Beauveria isolate BIITAC6.2.2 caused the highest mortality rates followed by MIITAC1.1.5. Lethal times and lethal concentrations were relatively low for the three M. anisopliae isolates and three B. bassiana isolates which were the best isolates in almost all insect life stages. Apart from being effective in multiple life stages, these isolates were transmitted horizontally from one stage to another when eggs and pupae were treated. The implication of these findings for integrated management of the BRB, and potential biopesticides development and commercialization are discussed.

Plantain is a key staple food in Central and West Africa, but there is limited understanding of its market in Africa. In addition, the cooking methods for enhancing the nutritional value, consumer preference, and willingness to pay for plantain and plantain-based products are not well understood. The knowledge gaps in the market and consumer dimension of the food chain need to be known to increase plantain utilization and guide breeding efforts. This research contributes by examining the cooking methods, consumer preference, and willingness to pay for plantain and plantain-based products in Cameroon and Nigeria. A household survey sample of 454 Cameroonian consumers in four divisions of Central Region and 418 Nigerian consumers in seven government areas of Oyo State in southwest Nigeria was the basis for the analysis. The results showed some levels of similarity and difference in the consumption and cooking of boiled, roasted, and fried plantain in both countries. The trend in consumption of all plantain-based products was constant in Cameroon but increased in Nigeria. The most important factor influencing Cameroonian consumers’ choice of plantain and its products was taste, while the nutrition trait influenced Nigerian consumers. Both Cameroonian and Nigerian consumers considered packaging, location of produce, and size and quantity as the least important factors. In addition, socioeconomic characteristics were significant determinants of consumers’ choices to consume plantain and its products. Gender significantly influenced (p < 0.05) taste, while nutrition was significantly driven (p < 0.05) by education and annual income. Household size played a significant role (p < 0.05) in consumers’ choices when the price was considered. These findings serve as a guideline to improve existing products to match the needs of consumers in each country and develop products for different consumer segments and potentially increase production.

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The little fire ant, Wasmannia auropunctata, is native to Central America, but has been introduced into many parts of the world. We examined the current distribution of W. auropunctata in Cameroon, tested for aggression between workers from different parts of the country, and examined the genotypes of workers, queens, and males to evaluate the mating system. We found W. auropunctata at 36 sites in three provinces (Centre, East, and South). We found W. auropunctata only in humandisturbed habitats. Its spread appears to be primarily human mediated. Aggressive behaviour was almost non-existent between workers from different sites, indicating that there is only one supercolony in Cameroon. Our genetic analysis found that only one male/female pair of clones was introduced into Cameroon, probably from Gabon. No new male clonal lineage was identified, whereas new sexually derived female clonal lineages were noted. Apart from the genotype of the founding queen, which was well distributed but generally not dominant, a new clonal queen genotype emerged and was both omnipresent and dominant at most sites. These results may be useful in the development of management strategies.

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