SURVEY ON THE OCCURRENCE AND DISTRIBUTION OF MAJOR CASSAVA ARTHROPOD PESTS IN SIERRA LEONE | Journal of Biology and Nature

 

In Sierra Leone and Africa as a whole, insect pests constitute the greatest limit to the production of cassava. The objective of the study was to generate up-to-date information on the country's status of cassava insect pests. The aims were to determine, map and determine the prevalence, incidence, magnitude and distribution in the country's major geo-political districts.

During the rainy season survey, a total of 171 cassava farms were visited nationally, while a total of 193 farms were visited during the dry season survey, with an average of 15 farms per district.

Important differences in percentage frequency, severity score and prevalence of the major cassava pests with respect to district, cassava variety and season are shown by the outcome of the survey. In most districts, the percentage incidence and severity scores of the major insect pests were higher in local cassava varieties compared to enhanced varieties. Compared to the rainy season, the population of insect pests measured was typically higher during the dry season. In the southern and eastern parts of the country, the grasshopper population of one of the most dangerous insect pests of cassava was generally higher and more harmful compared to the northern and western areas of the country. As the main insect pests found from the survey will serve as a guide in the training of cassava farmers in the management of these insect pests, which will ultimately lead to an increase in farmers' yield and income, the results of this survey will support cassava farmers.


Please see the link :- https://www.ikprress.org/index.php/JOBAN/article/view/5253

STUDY OF THE MORPHOLOGICAL AND ANATOMICAL STRUCTURE OF FERULA FOETIDA SEEDS FROM DIFFERENT MANGYSHLAK POPULATIONS | PLANT CELL BIOTECHNOLOGY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY

 The paper presents the results related to morphological and anatomical characters of Ferula foetida seeds from different geographical origin. Seed samples collected from Tuyesu and Karynzharyk sands, and the surrounding country of the Tynimbay Shoky Upland (Western and Eastern parts). The morphological parameters were determined on the basis of the length and width of the seeds and the weight of 1000 seeds; and anatomical parameters were determined on the basis of the analysis devoted to the structure of the cross section of seeds in their central part.

The maximum values of morphological parameters were revealed in seeds collected in Karynzharyk Sands, and the minimum values are for plants growing in the surrounding country of the East Tynimbay Shoky Upland. The features of the anatomical characters of Ferula foetida seeds were described for the first time. All seed samples, regardless of plant growth, have the same structural plan and parameters of cells and tissues. The maximum sizes (10.19 ± 0.49 mm) of microscopic structures were noted for West Tynimbay Shoky Upland, and the minimum sizes (8.54 ± 0.37 mm) were recorded for ferule populations from East Tynimbay Shoky. The Weight analysis carried out showed that the maximum sizes (0.23 ±0.02), both of individual seeds, and of tissue and conceptacle sites, were identified for plants growing in Karynzharyk Sands, central part solid mass; the minimum values (0.16 ±0.005) were noted for samples collected in Tynimbay Shoky Upland. The morphological and anatomical sizes and weight of the seed material in Ferula foetida populations vary depending on the place of growth, which is explained by the difference in habitat conditions. Promising populations for the selection of seed material with subsequent introduction into the conditions of the Mangyshlak experimental botanical garden are proposed.

Please see the link :- https://www.ikprress.org/index.php/PCBMB/article/view/5180