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Ssali RT, Mayanja S, Nakitto M, Mwende J, Tinyiro SE, Bayiyana I, Okello J, Forsythe L, Magala D, Yada B, Mwanga ROM, Polar V. Gender mainstreaming in sweetpotato breeding in Uganda: a case study. FRONTIERS IN SOCIOLOGY 2023; 8:1233102. [PMID: 38162931 PMCID: PMC10757364 DOI: 10.3389/fsoc.2023.1233102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Purpose In Uganda, sweetpotato [Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam] is typically a "woman's crop," grown, processed, stored and also mainly consumed by smallholder farmers for food and income. Farmers value sweetpotato for its early maturity, resilience to stresses, and minimal input requirements. However, productivity remains low despite the effort of breeding programs to introduce new varieties. Low uptake of new varieties is partly attributed to previous focus by breeders on agronomic traits and much less on quality traits and the diverse preferences of men and women in sweetpotato value chains. Method To address this gap, breeders, food scientists, and social scientists (including gender specialists) systematically mainstreamed gender into the breeding program. This multidisciplinary approach, grounded in examining gender roles and their relationship with varietal and trait preferences, integrated important traits into product profiles. Results Building on earlier efforts of participatory plant breeding and participatory varietal selection, new interventions showed subtle but important gender differences in preferences. For instance, in a study for the RTBFoods project, women prioritized mealiness, sweetness, firmness and non-fibrous boiled roots. These were further subjected to a rigorous gender analysis using the G+ product profile query tool. The breeding pipelines then incorporated these gender-responsive priority quality traits, prompting the development of standard operating procedures to phenotype these traits. Conclusion Following an all-inclusive approach coupled with training of multidisciplinary teams involving food scientists, breeders, biochemists, gender specialists and social scientists, integration into participatory variety selection in Uganda enabled accentuation of women and men's trait preferences, contributing to clearer breeding targets. The research has positioned sweetpotato breeding to better respond to the varying needs and preferences of the users.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sarah Mayanja
- International Potato Center (CIP-SSA), Kampala, Uganda
| | | | - Janet Mwende
- School of International Development, University of East Anglia, Norwich, United Kingdom
| | - Samuel Edgar Tinyiro
- National Agricultural Research Laboratories (NARL), National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO), Kampala, Uganda
| | - Irene Bayiyana
- National Crops Resources Research Institute (NaCRRI), National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO), Kampala, Uganda
| | - Julius Okello
- International Potato Center (CIP-SSA), Kampala, Uganda
| | - Lora Forsythe
- Natural Resources Institute (NRI), University of Greenwich, Chatham Maritime, United Kingdom
| | - Damalie Magala
- Mukono Zonal Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MUZARDI), National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO), Kampala, Uganda
| | - Benard Yada
- National Crops Resources Research Institute (NaCRRI), National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO), Kampala, Uganda
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Nakatumba-Nabende J, Babirye C, Tusubira JF, Mutegeki H, Nabiryo AL, Murindanyi S, Katumba A, Nantongo J, Sserunkuma E, Nakitto M, Ssali R, Makunde G, Moyo M, Campos H. Using machine learning for image-based analysis of sweetpotato root sensory attributes. SMART AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGY 2023; 5:None. [PMID: 37800125 PMCID: PMC10547598 DOI: 10.1016/j.atech.2023.100291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
The sweetpotato breeding process involves assessing different phenotypic traits, such as the sensory attributes, to decide which varieties to progress to the next stage during the breeding cycle. Sensory attributes like appearance, taste, colour and mealiness are important for consumer acceptability and adoption of new varieties. Therefore, measuring these sensory attributes is critical to inform the selection of varieties during breeding. Current methods using a trained human panel enable screening of different sweetpotato sensory attributes. Despite this, such methods are costly and time-consuming, leading to low throughput, which remains the biggest challenge for breeders. In this paper, we describe an approach to apply machine learning techniques with image-based analysis to predict flesh-colour and mealiness sweetpotato sensory attributes. The developed models can be used as high-throughput methods to augment existing approaches for the evaluation of flesh-colour and mealiness for different sweetpotato varieties. The work involved capturing images of boiled sweetpotato cross-sections using the DigiEye imaging system, data pre-processing for background elimination and feature extraction to develop machine learning models to predict the flesh-colour and mealiness sensory attributes of different sweetpotato varieties. For flesh-colour the trained Linear Regression and Random Forest Regression models attained R 2 values of 0.92 and 0.87, respectively, against the ground truth values given by a human sensory panel. In contrast, the Random Forest Regressor and Gradient Boosting model attained R 2 values of 0.85 and 0.80, respectively, for the prediction of mealiness. The performance of the models matched the desirable R 2 threshold of 0.80 for acceptable comparability to the human sensory panel showing that this approach can be used for the prediction of these attributes with high accuracy. The machine learning models were deployed and tested by the sweetpotato breeding team at the International Potato Center in Uganda. This solution can automate and increase throughput for analysing flesh-colour and mealiness sweetpotato sensory attributes. Using machine learning tools for analysis can inform and quicken the selection of promising varieties that can be progressed for participatory evaluation during breeding cycles and potentially lead to increased chances of adoption of the varieties by consumers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Claire Babirye
- Makerere Artificial Intelligence Lab, Makerere University, Uganda
| | | | - Henry Mutegeki
- Makerere Artificial Intelligence Lab, Makerere University, Uganda
| | - Ann Lisa Nabiryo
- Makerere Artificial Intelligence Lab, Makerere University, Uganda
| | | | - Andrew Katumba
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Makerere University, Uganda
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Okello J, Shikuku KM, Lagerkvist CJ, Rommel J, Jogo W, Ojwang S, Namanda S, Elungat J. Social incentives as nudges for agricultural knowledge diffusion and willingness to pay for certified seeds: Experimental evidence from Uganda. FOOD POLICY 2023; 120:102506. [PMID: 38037573 PMCID: PMC10687722 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodpol.2023.102506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Revised: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023]
Abstract
A transition from low-input subsistence farming in Sub-Saharan Africa will require the use of yield-increasing agricultural technologies. However, in developing countries, most farmers continue to rely heavily on pest-infested and disease-infected recycled seed from own or local sources leading to low yields. This study used a field experiment to examine the effect of a social incentive combined with goal setting on the diffusion of agricultural knowledge and uptake of quality certified seed by farmers. We relaxed the seed access and information/knowledge constraints by introducing improved varieties of sweetpotato in the study villages and providing training to carefully selected progressive farmers who were then linked to co-villagers. We find that social incentives combined with goal setting reduced the likelihood of the trained progressive farmers reaching out to co-villagers to share information and discuss farming. Further, social incentive combined with goal setting had no significant effect on knowledge and experimentation by progressive farmers, and on willingness to pay for improved seed - as elicited through auctions, our proxy for experimentation, by co-villagers. These findings suggest that the combination of goal setting and public recognition acted to crowd-out diffusion effort. We conclude that social incentive combined with goal setting by established progressive farmers already enjoying a certain degree of public recognition is not sufficient to induce effort in learning and experimentation with agricultural innovations. These results have implications for design of policy and extension services to promote adoption of agricultural technologies with proven food and nutrition security benefits in developing countries.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Carl Johan Lagerkvist
- Department of Economics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Jens Rommel
- Department of Economics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | | | | | - Sam Namanda
- International Potato Center, Kampala, Uganda
| | - James Elungat
- Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries, Katakwi District Local Government, Uganda
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Weng Z, Deng Y, Tang F, Zhao L, Zhao L, Wang Y, Dai X, Zhou Z, Cao Q. Screening and optimisation of in vitro pollen germination medium for sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas). PLANT METHODS 2023; 19:93. [PMID: 37644497 PMCID: PMC10463589 DOI: 10.1186/s13007-023-01050-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sweetpotato is an important vegetable and food crop that is bred through sexual crosses and systematic selection. The use of in vitro germination of sweetpotato pollen to test its viability has important theoretical and practical implications for improving the efficiency of sweetpotato crossbreeding by controlling pollination and conducting research on sweetpotato pollen biology. RESULTS In this study, we observed the morphological structure of sweetpotato pollen under a scanning electron microscope (SEM), developed an effective method for the in vitro germination of sweetpotato pollen, and examined the viability of sweetpotato pollen after treating plants at different temperatures before blossoming. Sweetpotato pollen grains are spherical, with an average diameter of 87.07 ± 3.27 μm (excluding spines), with multiple germination pores and reticulate pollen surface sculpture. We applied numerous media to sweetpotato pollen germination in vitro to screen the initial medium and optimised the medium components through single-factor design. The most effective liquid medium for in vitro sweetpotato pollen germination contained 50 g/L Sucrose, 50 g/L Polyethylene glycol 4000 (PEG4000), 100 mg/L Boric acid and 300 mg/L Calcium nitrate, with a pH = 6.0. The optimum growth temperature for pollen development in sweetpotato was from 25 to 30 °C. Neither staining nor in situ germination could accurately determine the viability of sweetpotato pollen. CONCLUSIONS In vitro germination can be used to effectively determine sweetpotato pollen viability. The best liquid medium for in vitro germination of sweetpotato pollen contained 50 g/L Sucrose, 50 g/L Polyethylene glycol 4000 (PEG4000), 100 mg/L Boric acid and 300 mg/L Calcium nitrate, with the pH adjusted to 6.0. This study provides a reliable medium for the detection of sweetpotato pollen viability, which can provide a theoretical reference for sweetpotato genetics and breeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zongkuan Weng
- Xuzhou Institute of Agricultural Sciences in Jiangsu Xuhuai District/Institute of Sweetpotato Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Xuzhou, 221121, China
| | - Yitong Deng
- Xuzhou Institute of Agricultural Sciences in Jiangsu Xuhuai District/Institute of Sweetpotato Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Xuzhou, 221121, China
| | - Fen Tang
- Xuzhou Institute of Agricultural Sciences in Jiangsu Xuhuai District/Institute of Sweetpotato Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Xuzhou, 221121, China
| | - Lukuan Zhao
- Xuzhou Institute of Agricultural Sciences in Jiangsu Xuhuai District/Institute of Sweetpotato Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Xuzhou, 221121, China
| | - Lingxiao Zhao
- Xuzhou Institute of Agricultural Sciences in Jiangsu Xuhuai District/Institute of Sweetpotato Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Xuzhou, 221121, China
| | - Yuan Wang
- Xuzhou Institute of Agricultural Sciences in Jiangsu Xuhuai District/Institute of Sweetpotato Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Xuzhou, 221121, China
| | - Xibin Dai
- Xuzhou Institute of Agricultural Sciences in Jiangsu Xuhuai District/Institute of Sweetpotato Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Xuzhou, 221121, China
| | - Zhilin Zhou
- Xuzhou Institute of Agricultural Sciences in Jiangsu Xuhuai District/Institute of Sweetpotato Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Xuzhou, 221121, China
| | - Qinghe Cao
- Xuzhou Institute of Agricultural Sciences in Jiangsu Xuhuai District/Institute of Sweetpotato Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Xuzhou, 221121, China.
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David M, Kante M, Fuentes S, Eyzaguirre R, Diaz F, De Boeck B, Mwanga ROM, Kreuze J, Grüneberg WJ. Early-Stage Phenotyping of Sweet Potato Virus Disease Caused by Sweet Potato Chlorotic Stunt Virus and Sweet Potato Virus C to Support Breeding. PLANT DISEASE 2023; 107:2061-2069. [PMID: 36510429 DOI: 10.1094/pdis-08-21-1650-re] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Sweet potato virus disease (SPVD) is a global constraint to sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas) production, especially under intensive cultivation in the humid tropics such as East Africa. The objectives of this study were to develop a precision SPVD phenotyping protocol, to find new SPVD-resistant genotypes, and to standardize the first stages of screening for SPVD resistance. The first part of the protocol was based on enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay results for sweet potato chlorotic stunt virus (SPCSV) and sweet potato virus C (SPVC) with adjustments to a negative control (uninfected clone Tanzania) and was performed on a prebreeding population (VZ08) comprising 455 clones and 27 check clones graft inoculated under screenhouse conditions. The second part included field studies with 52 selected clones for SPCSV resistance from VZ08 and 8 checks. In screenhouse conditions, the resistant and susceptible check clones performed as expected; 63 clones from VZ08 exhibited lower relative absorbance values for SPCSV and SPVC than inoculated check Tanzania. Field experiments confirmed SPVD resistance of several clones selected by relative absorbance values (nine resistant clones in two locations; that is, 17.3% of the screenhouse selection), supporting the reliability of our method for SPVD-resistance selection. Two clones were promising, exhibiting high storage root yields of 28.7 to 34.9 t ha-1 and SPVD resistance, based on the proposed selection procedure. This modified serological analysis for SPVD-resistance phenotyping might lead to more efficient development of resistant varieties by reducing costs and time at early stages, and provide solid data for marker-assisted selection with a quantitative tool for classifying resistance.[Formula: see text] Copyright © 2023 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY 4.0 International license.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria David
- International Potato Center (CIP), Lima 15024, Peru
| | - Moctar Kante
- International Potato Center (CIP), Lima 15024, Peru
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Jan Kreuze
- International Potato Center (CIP), Lima 15024, Peru
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Touré OY, Sanni Worogo JSB, Tchemadon GC, Nebie B, Afouda LAC, Achigan Dako EG. Farmers' Knowledge and Perception on Kersting's Groundnut ( Macrotyloma geocarpum) Diseases and Pests in Benin. PLANT DISEASE 2023:PDIS09222190RE. [PMID: 36510426 DOI: 10.1094/pdis-09-22-2190-re] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Kersting's groundnut (Macrotyloma geocarpum) is a neglected and underutilized legume crop in Benin and is subject to several constraints, including diseases and pests, which constitute a bottleneck to its production. A randomized semistructured interview and participant observation survey were conducted in September 2020 to identify the perception and knowledge of farmers regarding diseases and pests affecting Kersting's groundnut. Thus, 84 farmers were surveyed in three agroecological zones where Kersting's groundnut is produced in Benin. After observation of disease symptoms through photographs, about 62% of the respondents stated that they observed diseases with low to medium incidence, but nearly 93% of the respondents did not recognize these symptoms as due to diseases. However, although 83% of the respondents recognize diseases as a constraint, all respondents (100%) do not adopt any control strategy against these diseases, due to the lack of knowledge about management practices, and are linking the symptoms to mystical phenomena, heavy rainfall, or strong sunlight. As for pests, about 69% of the respondents observe them in their fields but 80% of the respondents do not consider them as a constraint in Kersting's groundnut production, although 17 and 26% of the respondents claim to observe locusts and caterpillars, respectively, in their fields. No control methods are applied against these pests. Extensive extension work is needed to raise awareness of the diseases and pests of this crop while seeking effective control strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omar Yacouba Touré
- Laboratory of Genetics, Horticulture and Seed Science, Faculty of Agronomic Sciences, University of Abomey-Calavi, 01 BP 526 Abomey-Calavi, Republic of Benin
- Laboratoire de Phytotechnie, d'Amélioration et de Protection des Plantes (LaPAPP), Université de Parakou (UP), BP 123 Parakou, Republic of Benin
| | - Judicael S B Sanni Worogo
- Laboratoire de Phytotechnie, d'Amélioration et de Protection des Plantes (LaPAPP), Université de Parakou (UP), BP 123 Parakou, Republic of Benin
| | - Gildas Codjo Tchemadon
- Laboratoire de Phytotechnie, d'Amélioration et de Protection des Plantes (LaPAPP), Université de Parakou (UP), BP 123 Parakou, Republic of Benin
| | - Baloua Nebie
- International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), Senegal
| | - Léonard A C Afouda
- Laboratoire de Phytotechnie, d'Amélioration et de Protection des Plantes (LaPAPP), Université de Parakou (UP), BP 123 Parakou, Republic of Benin
| | - Enoch G Achigan Dako
- Laboratory of Genetics, Horticulture and Seed Science, Faculty of Agronomic Sciences, University of Abomey-Calavi, 01 BP 526 Abomey-Calavi, Republic of Benin
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Vertical Distribution of Plant-Parasitic Nematodes in Sweet Potato. J Nematol 2022; 54:20220025. [PMID: 36060475 PMCID: PMC9400523 DOI: 10.2478/jofnem-2022-0025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Plant-parasitic nematodes (PPN) are harmful pests that have become a severe threat to crop production worldwide. Diversity of PPN at horizontal and spatial scales influence the effectiveness of control strategies. This study evaluated the vertical distribution of PPN genera at 0 cm to 30 cm and 30 cm to 60 cm in sweet potato fields in Central, Manyatta, and Nembure regions of Embu County, Kenya. A significant region × depth interaction was observed for Tylenchus. For all the other nematode genera, there were no significant variations in the abundance at 0 cm to 30 cm and 30 cm to 60 cm depths. However, Helicotylenchus, Meloidogyne, and Scutellonema occurred in greater numbers at both depths in all regions. Shannon and Simpson diversity indices were higher at 0 cm to 30 cm depth while Pielou’s evenness was similar at both depths in the three regions. Diversity partitioning of genus richness, Shannon, and Simpson diversities across all regions at 0 cm to 30 cm, indicated that β component contributed 61.9%, 35.6%, and 22.6% of γ diversity, respectively. Coinertia analysis indicated a significant covariation between nematode genera and soil properties. The results show that management of PPN in sweet potato fields should be targeted at soil depths that are not less than 60 cm.
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Analysis of the Nutritional Composition and Drought Tolerance Traits of Sweet Potato: Selection Criteria for Breeding Lines. PLANTS 2022; 11:plants11141804. [PMID: 35890438 PMCID: PMC9318324 DOI: 10.3390/plants11141804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Revised: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Sweet potato is an important world staple with the potential to address hunger and malnutrition. The Agricultural Research Council of South Africa has led sweet potato breeding efforts in the country since 1952 and released several important cultivars. More detailed quality assessments are necessary in addition to general breeding criteria. The present study investigated sweet potato cultivars and elite clones for (1) their nutritional composition; (2) biochemical reaction to drought stress; (3) correlate biochemical reaction to root yield for possible identification of screening methods for drought tolerance in sweet potato. Orange-fleshed cultivars, in particular Bophelo, had superior contents of Fe, Zn, Mg, Ca, Mn, and dietary fiber. Cream-fleshed cultivars, particularly Ndou, were higher in starch and carbohydrate. When sweet potato cultivars were subjected to drought stress, significant changes were noted in most antioxidant enzymes, chlorophyll and proline concentrations, and 13C discrimination. All of these showed significant correlations with root yield. For screening of drought tolerance, the determination of nitrate reductase, proline, and chlorophyll concentrations at 60 days after planting are recommended. Ndou was less affected by drought stress. Bophelo and Ndou, which are gaining popularity on the informal market, have superior nutritional value and are good cultivar choices for food security and addressing malnutrition.
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Okello JJ, Swanckaert J, Martin-Collado D, Santos B, Yada B, Mwanga ROM, Schurink A, Quinn M, Thiele G, Heck S, Byrne TJ, Hareau GG, Campos H. Market Intelligence and Incentive-Based Trait Ranking for Plant Breeding: A Sweetpotato Pilot in Uganda. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:808597. [PMID: 35317017 PMCID: PMC8934386 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.808597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Crop breeding programs must accelerate crop improvement, spur widespread adoption of new varieties and increase variety turnover they are to meet the diverse needs of their clients. More comprehensive quantitative approaches are needed to better inform breeding programs about the preferred traits among farmers and other actors. However, the ability of current breeding programs to meet the demands of their clients is limited by the lack of insights about value chain actor preference for individual or packages of traits. Ranking traits based on monetary incentives, rather than subjective values, represents a more comprehensive, consistent, and quantitative approach to inform breeding programs. We conducted a large pilot in Uganda to assess the implementation of a novel approach to trait ranking, using a uniquely large sample of diverse sweetpotato value chain actors. We found meaningful differences in trait ranking and heterogeneity among different actors using this approach. We also show our approach's effectiveness at uncovering unmet demand for root quality traits and at characterizing the substantial trait demand heterogeneity among value chain players. Implementing this approach more broadly for sweetpotato and other crops would increase the effectiveness of breeding programs to improve food security in developing countries.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Daniel Martin-Collado
- Aragon Agrifood Research and Technology Center [Centro de Investigación y Tecnología Agroalimentaria de Aragón (CITA)], Zaragoza, Spain
| | | | - Benard Yada
- National Crops Resources Research Institute, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | | | - Michael Quinn
- International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center, Texcoco, Mexico
| | | | - Simon Heck
- International Potato Center, Nairobi, Kenya
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Dos Santos MM, Soares MA, da Silva IM, Caldeira ZV, de Abreu CM, Rocha de Souza MW, da Silva AA, Zanuncio JC, de Castro E Castro BM. Life History of Bedellia somnulentella (Lepidoptera: Bedelliidae) Feeding on Ipomoea batatas (Solanales: Convolvulaceae) Leaves and Survey of Parasitoids in Brazil. JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY 2021; 114:1631-1637. [PMID: 33959766 DOI: 10.1093/jee/toab078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The microlepidoptera, Bedellia somnulentella (Zeller), is an important pest of sweetpotato, Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam. Damage by B. somnulentella occurs in the larval stage and when consuming the foliar mesophyll of I. batatas make the leaves brown, wrinkled, and reducing the photosynthetic area and the yield. The detection and management of this pest depends on knowing its biological cycle and identifying its natural enemies. The objectives of this study were to determine the life history of B. somnulentella feeding on I. batatas leaves and to survey parasitoids of this pest in the field. The duration and viability of B. somnulentella egg, larva, prepupa, pupa, and adult stages were evaluated under laboratory conditions. Cephalic capsule width was measured to determine the number of B. somnulentella instars, based on the Dyar rule and analyzed by the Akaike statistical model (AIC). The developmental period of B. somnulentella was 32.5 ± 0. 21 d with a viability of 75, 84, 100, and 84% for the egg, larva, prepupa, and pupa stages, respectively. The identification of this pest on the plants is possible from the third instar and in the pupal and adult stages. The parasitoid Conura sp. (Hymenoptera: Chalcididae) was identified parasitizing pupae of B. somnulentella and could be considered a potential natural enemy for the integrated management of this pest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marinalva Martins Dos Santos
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Produção Vegetal, Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri, Diamantina, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Marcus Alvarenga Soares
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Produção Vegetal, Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri, Diamantina, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Isabel Moreira da Silva
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Produção Vegetal, Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri, Diamantina, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Zaira Vieira Caldeira
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Produção Vegetal, Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri, Diamantina, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Caique Menezes de Abreu
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Produção Vegetal, Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri, Diamantina, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Michael Willian Rocha de Souza
- Departamento de Produção Vegetal, Escola Superior de Agricultura 'Luiz de Queiroz', Universidade de São Paulo, Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - José Cola Zanuncio
- Departamento de Entomologia/BIOAGRO, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil
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Tchokponhoué DA, Achigan-Dako EG, N'Danikou S, Nyadanu D, Kahane R, Odindo AO, Sibiya J. Comparative analysis of management practices and end-users' desired breeding traits in the miracle plant [Synsepalum dulcificum (Schumach & Thonn.) Daniell] across ecological zones and sociolinguistic groups in West Africa. JOURNAL OF ETHNOBIOLOGY AND ETHNOMEDICINE 2021; 17:41. [PMID: 34147110 PMCID: PMC8214305 DOI: 10.1186/s13002-021-00467-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Understanding end-users' preferred breeding traits and plant management practices is fundamental in defining sound breeding objectives and implementing a successful plant improvement programme. Since such knowledge is lacking for Synsepalum dulcificum, a worldwide promising orphan fruit tree species, we assessed the interrelationships among socio-demography, ecology, management practices, diversity and ranking of desired breeding traits by end-users of the species (farmers, final consumers and processing companies) in West Africa. METHODS Semi-structured interviews, field-visits and focus groups were combined to interview a total of 300 farmers and final consumers belonging to six sociolinguistic groups sampled from three ecological zones of Benin and Ghana. One processing company in Ghana was also involved. Data collected included socio-demographic characteristics; crop management systems and practices; and preferences of farmers, final consumers and processing companies and ranking of breeding traits. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, independence, and non-parametric tests, generalized linear models, multi-group similarity index and Kendall's concordance coefficient. RESULTS Men (86.33% of respondents) were the main holders of S. dulcificum in the study area. The three most frequent management practices observed in the species included weeding, fertilization and pruning, which were applied by 75.66%, 27.33% and 16.66% of respondents, respectively. The management intensity index varied significantly across ecological zones, sociolinguistic groups, and instruction level (p < 0.001) but was not affected by gender (p > 0.05). General multigroup similarity indices ([Formula: see text]) for farmer-desired traits, on one hand, and final consumer-desired traits, on the other hand, were high across ecological zones ([Formula: see text] ≥ 0.84) and sociolinguistic groups ([Formula: see text] > 0.83). Nevertheless, respondents from the Guineo-Congolian (Benin) and the Deciduous forest (Ghana) zones expressed higher agreement in the ranking of desired breeding traits. Preference for breeding traits was 60% similar among farmers, final consumers, and processors. The key breeding traits desired by these end-users included in descending order of importance big fruit size, early fruiting, high fruit yielding (for farmers); big fruit size, high fruit miraculin content, fruit freshness (for final consumers); and high fruit miraculin content, big fruit size, high fruit edible ratio (for processing companies). CONCLUSION This study revealed stronger variations in current management practices across ecological zones than across sociolinguistic groups. A high similarity was shown in end-users' preferences for breeding traits across the study area. Top key traits to consider in breeding varieties of S. dulcificum to meet various end-users' expectations in West Africa include fruit size and fruit miraculin content. These results constitute a strong signal for a region-wide promotion of the resource.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dèdéou A Tchokponhoué
- School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X01, Scottsville, Pietermaritzburg, 3209, South Africa.
- Laboratory of Genetics, Biotechnology and Seed Science (GBioS), School of Plant Sciences, University of Abomey-Calavi, 01 BP 526, Abomey-Calavi, Republic of Benin.
| | - Enoch G Achigan-Dako
- Laboratory of Genetics, Biotechnology and Seed Science (GBioS), School of Plant Sciences, University of Abomey-Calavi, 01 BP 526, Abomey-Calavi, Republic of Benin
| | - Sognigbé N'Danikou
- Laboratory of Genetics, Biotechnology and Seed Science (GBioS), School of Plant Sciences, University of Abomey-Calavi, 01 BP 526, Abomey-Calavi, Republic of Benin
- World Vegetable Center, East and Southern Africa, Po. Box 10, Duluti, Arusha, Tanzania
| | - Daniel Nyadanu
- Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana (CRIG), P. O. Box 8, Akim Tafo, Ghana
| | - Rémi Kahane
- Research Unit HortSys, Department Persyst, CIRAD, Campus de Baillarguet, 34398, Montpellier cedex 5, France
| | - Alfred O Odindo
- School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X01, Scottsville, Pietermaritzburg, 3209, South Africa
| | - Julia Sibiya
- School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X01, Scottsville, Pietermaritzburg, 3209, South Africa
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Nsiah Frimpong B, Oppong A, Prempeh R, Appiah-Kubi Z, Abrokwah LA, B Mochiah M, N Lamptey J, Manu-Aduening J, Pita J. Farmers' knowledge, attitudes and practices towards management of cassava pests and diseases in forest transition and Guinea savannah agro-ecological zones of Ghana. Gates Open Res 2021; 4:101. [PMID: 33842843 PMCID: PMC8012878 DOI: 10.12688/gatesopenres.13114.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Cassava is a major staple root crop in Ghana, which serves as a food security and an income generating crop for farming families. In spite of its importance, the crop is plagued with biotic factors such as pests and diseases, resulting in yield and income reductions. Methods: Farmers' knowledge, attitudes and practices towards cassava pest and disease management were investigated. A mixed research questionnaire was used to collect both qualitative and quantitative data from 94 cassava farm households across two major cassava growing agro-ecologies. Results: Using descriptive statistics, parametric and non-parametric analysis, our study revealed that farmers' knowledge on cassava pests was high but low for diseases. Whiteflies ( Bemisia tabaci Gennadius), grasshoppers ( Zonocerus variegatus), aphids ( Aphis gossypii Glover), mealybugs ( Phenacoccus manihoti), termites ( Isoptera), and grasscutters ( Thryonomys swinderianus) were perceived as the most common damaging pests. Farmers' descriptions showed that disease pathogens attacked foliar tissues, stem and root tissues and caused leaf dropping and die back. Cassava mosaic disease and root rot were the most common diseases; however, disease descriptions suggested the incidence of viral, bacterial and fungal diseases. Some of the farmers observed mixed symptoms on their farms. The results also showed that only 25.5% cultivated improved varieties. Management actions applied included field sanitation practices and pesticide application. The effectiveness level of the control actions was rated moderately effective. Conclusions: The analysis showed heterogeneity in personal and farm level characteristics of respondents across the two agro-ecologies, but agro-ecologies were independent of the management practices employed. There is a need to improve farmers' access to improved disease-free planting materials through efficient dissemination pathways and increase farmers' knowledge on cassava pests, diseases and integrated management through publfic awareness creation and capacity building by extension agents and research institutions. Continued government investment is needed to achieve sustainable outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Justin Pita
- University of Félix Houphouët Boigny, Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire
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Mugerwa H, Colvin J, Alicai T, Omongo CA, Kabaalu R, Visendi P, Sseruwagi P, Seal SE. Genetic diversity of whitefly ( Bemisia spp.) on crop and uncultivated plants in Uganda: implications for the control of this devastating pest species complex in Africa. JOURNAL OF PEST SCIENCE 2021; 94:1307-1330. [PMID: 34720787 PMCID: PMC8550740 DOI: 10.1007/s10340-021-01355-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Revised: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Over the past three decades, highly increased whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) populations have been observed on the staple food crop cassava in eastern Africa and associated with ensuing viral disease pandemics and food insecurity. Increased whitefly numbers have also been observed in other key agricultural crops and weeds. Factors behind the population surges on different crops and their interrelationships are unclear, although in cassava they have been associated with specific populations within the Bemisia tabaci species complex known to infest cassava crops in Africa. This study carried out an in-depth survey to understand the distribution of B. tabaci populations infesting crops and uncultivated plant hosts in Uganda, a centre of origin for this pest complex. Whitefly samples were collected from 59 identified plant species and 25 unidentified weeds in a countrywide survey. Identities of 870 individual adult whiteflies were determined through mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase 1 sequences (651 bp) in the 3' barcode region used for B. tabaci systematics. Sixteen B. tabaci and five related whitefly putative species were identified based on > 4.0% nucleotide divergence, of which three are proposed as novel B. tabaci putative species and four as novel closely related whitefly species. The most prevalent whiteflies were classified as B. tabaci MED-ASL (30.5% of samples), sub-Saharan Africa 1 (SSA1, 22.7%) and Bemisia Uganda1 (12.1%). These species were also indicated to be the most polyphagous occurring on 33, 40 and 25 identified plant species, respectively. Multiple (≥ 3) whitefly species occurred on specific crops (bean, eggplant, pumpkin and tomato) and weeds (Sida acuta and Ocimum gratissimum). These plants may have increased potential to act as reservoirs for mixed infections of whitefly-vectored viruses. Management of whitefly pest populations in eastern Africa will require an integration of approaches that consider their degree of polyphagy and a climate that enables the continuous presence of crop and uncultivated plant hosts. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10340-021-01355-6.
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Affiliation(s)
- Habibu Mugerwa
- Natural Resources Institute, University of Greenwich, Central Avenue, Chatham Maritime, Kent, ME4 4TB UK
- Department of Entomology, University of Georgia, 1109 Experiment Street, Griffin, GA 30223 USA
| | - John Colvin
- Natural Resources Institute, University of Greenwich, Central Avenue, Chatham Maritime, Kent, ME4 4TB UK
| | - Titus Alicai
- Root Crops Programme, National Crops Resources Research Institute, P. O. Box 7084, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Christopher A. Omongo
- Root Crops Programme, National Crops Resources Research Institute, P. O. Box 7084, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Richard Kabaalu
- Root Crops Programme, National Crops Resources Research Institute, P. O. Box 7084, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Paul Visendi
- Centre for Agriculture and Bioeconomy, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, 4001 Australia
| | - Peter Sseruwagi
- Biotechnology Department, Mikocheni Agricultural Research Institute, P.O. Box 6226, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Susan E. Seal
- Natural Resources Institute, University of Greenwich, Central Avenue, Chatham Maritime, Kent, ME4 4TB UK
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Nsiah Frimpong B, Oppong A, Prempeh R, Appiah-Kubi Z, Abrokwah LA, B. Mochiah M, N. Lamptey J, Manu-Aduening J, Pita J. Farmers’ knowledge, attitudes and practices towards management of cassava pests and diseases in forest transition and Guinea savannah agro-ecological zones of Ghana. Gates Open Res 2020; 4:101. [DOI: 10.12688/gatesopenres.13114.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Cassava is a major staple root crop in Ghana, which serves as a food security and an income generating crop for farming families. In spite of its importance, the crop is plagued with biotic factors such as pests and diseases, resulting in yield and income reductions. Methods: Farmers’ knowledge, attitudes and practices towards cassava pest and disease management were investigated. A mixed method research questionnaire was used to collect both qualitative and quantitative data from 94 cassava farm households across two major cassava growing agro-ecologies. Results: Using descriptive statistics, parametric and non-parametric analysis, our study revealed that farmers’ knowledge on cassava pests was high but low for diseases. Whiteflies (Bemisia tabaci Gennadius), grasshoppers (Zonocerus variegatus), aphids (Aphis gossypii Glover), mealybugs (Phenacoccus manihoti), termites (Isoptera), and grasscutters (Thryonomys swinderianus) were perceived as the most common damaging pests. Farmers’ descriptions showed that disease pathogens attacked foliar tissues, stem and root tissues and caused leaf dropping and die back. Cassava mosaic disease and root rot were the most common diseases; however, disease descriptions suggested the incidence of viral, bacterial and fungal diseases. Some of the farmers observed mixed infections on their farms. The results also showed that only 25.5% cultivated improved varieties. Management actions applied included field sanitation practices and pesticide application. The effectiveness level of the control actions was rated moderately effective. Conclusions: The analysis showed heterogeneity in personal and farm level characteristics of respondents across the two agro-ecologies, but agro-ecologies were independent of the management practices employed. There is a need to improve farmers’ access to improved disease-free planting materials through efficient dissemination pathways and increase farmers’ knowledge on cassava pests, diseases and integrated management through publfic awareness creation and capacity building by extension agents and research institutions. Continued government investment is needed to achieve sustainable outcomes.
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