Seed-borne fungal pathogens present significant constrain to the production and conservation of many seed crops including cowpea. Infection of mature seeds by such pathogens could result in mycotoxin contamination, loss of viability, and decay of seeds. This study aimed to identify seed-borne fungi on 200 accessions of cowpea under cold storage at CSIR-Plant Genetic Resources Research Institute (PGRRI), Ghana. Also, the antifungal effect of seeds of Piper nigrum, Xylopia aethiopica, Aframomum melegueta, and fresh leaves of Cymbopogon citratus aqueous extracts (100% w/v) on the major seed-borne fungi identified on the cowpea seeds was determined. Seven fungal species belonging to five genera were identified from the seeds of the cowpea accessions evaluated. However, the diversity and infection levels of the pathogenic fungi recorded on the seeds were lower than that of the saprophytic fungi indicating minimal capacity of the seeds to spread pathogenic fungi on the field. Aqueous extract of Aframomum melegueta inhibited the growth of Fusarium verticillioides by 98.40%, Colletotrichum sp. by 97.83%, Aspergillus niger by 94.70%, and Aspergillus flavus by 63.38%. The only other aqueous extract that inhibited the colony growth above 60% was that of Piper nigrum which inhibited colony growth of Fusarium verticillioides by 71.7% and Colletotrichum sp. by 63.47%. Due to the benign effect of Aframomum melegueta extract on the environment and non-target organisms, its use as a seed protectant is highly recommended. Further studies to establish the spectrum of activity and dose levels of Aframomum melegueta extract are recommended.
This paper examines the neglected and underutilized crop diversity in four selected districts of the Eastern Region of Ghana to make conservation and production meaningful to local people. Through direct observation, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions, the study identified 27 neglected and underutilized crop species in the four districts. The availability of these crop species varies from high to moderate, including root and tuber, vegetables, cereals, fruits, trees, medicinal plant species, and legumes. According to the respondents, Garcinia kola was highly diverse in terms of spread. The commonly grown, but underutilized crop species included Dioscorea spp. (kookoo ase bayere and afasie), Ipomoea batatas (sweet potato), Colocasia esculenta (taro), Phaseolus spp. (white-Apatram), Capsicum chinense (Kpakposhito), and Solanum lycopersicum var. cerasiforme (Afii ntoose/Ntos pa). Neglected and underutilized crop species are essential for reducing high-input demand and enhancing climate-resilient agriculture. Ensuring the sustainability of the food system requires adding value to these crop species.
The life cycle of the invasive alien insect pest, fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith), was studied using a colony established from field-collected larvae. Eggs, neonate larvae, and newly emerged adult moths were used in experiments to investigate the basic biology of the FAW. Adult females laid up to 1184 eggs with a mean of 469 ± 22 eggs per female. The incubation period of eggs and percentage hatchability were 2-3 days and 80–87%, respectively. The mean larval lengths from the first to the sixth instar were 4.63, 6.60, 9.76, 15.86, 25.13, and 27.81 mm, respectively. The mean larval weights were 0.003, 0.019, 0.045, 0.050, 0.060, and 0.067 g, respectively, for the six instars. The mean width of the head capsule of the sixth instar larva was 2.76 mm. The total larval duration throughout the six instar stages was 16–18 days, while the mean pupal weight was 0.25 ± 0.001 g and 0.35 ± 0.011 g for males and females, respectively. The mean pupal length was 14.3 ± 0.16 mm for males and 17.2 ± 0.14 mm for females. Pupal duration ranged from 8 to 14 days, with a mean of 10.35 ± 0.26 days, while the pupal emergence rate ranged from 60 to 94%, with a mean of 80.25 ± 1.28%. The life cycle of males lasted 33–44 days and that of females lasted 36–49 days under laboratory conditions. Adult copulation occurred between 8 and 11 pm, with the peak occurring at 9 pm. This study provides baseline information about the biology of the FAW. Apart from being an important reference point for future research on the FAW, the data provided would aid FAW management decision-making.
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