Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum Mill) is a staple fruit vegetable widely grown worldwide for its rich nutrients including vitamins, minerals and proteins. In spite of its importance, yield and fruit quality in Buea, Came...Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum Mill) is a staple fruit vegetable widely grown worldwide for its rich nutrients including vitamins, minerals and proteins. In spite of its importance, yield and fruit quality in Buea, Cameroon is quite low compared to other countries. Pests and diseases are responsible for these limitations. Those of high importance are pinworm (Tatu absoluta) and Fusarium wilt respectively. Synthetic chemicals have been used to manage this pest/disease on tomato but this has not been very successful because of high cost and unavailability of these chemicals. Botanicals are known to have anti-microbial properties. 10% Leeks and marigold extracts were applied to tomato plants one week after planting. Five treatments were replicated four times in a randomized complete block. They include a control, a synthetic insecticide, leeks extract, marigold extract, and leeks/marigold extracts. Growth and yield parameters were evaluated and data obtained was analysed by descriptive statistics and ANOVA. Results showed that more tomato plant leaves were recorded in the leeks + marigold treatment (54) which differed significantly (P = 0.05) from the control (45). More fruits were harvested in the leeks + marigold treatment (32) which differed significantly (P = 0.05) from the control (18). Pinworm numbers were significantly higher in control (6) (P = 0.05) than the other treatments. Numerous leaf damage was observed in control (20) which differed significantly (P = 0.05) across treatments. More fruit damage was seen in control (14) and differed significantly (P = 0.05) from the other treatments. The least disease incidence was noted in Leeks + Marigold treatment (27.5%), and the most in control (72.5%) which differed significantly (P = 0.05) across treatments. Fusarium oxysporium and Fusarium semitectum were identified. There was a significant difference in pathogen number in control compared to other treatments. Thus leeks and marigold extract increased yield of tomato by mitigating the effects of leaf miner and fusarium wilt.展开更多
The present work assesses the trace metal content in groundwater from Akwa-Mundemba, Bakassi Peninsular in Cameroon. 12 groundwater samples were analyzed using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectroscopy ICP-MS. Fiel...The present work assesses the trace metal content in groundwater from Akwa-Mundemba, Bakassi Peninsular in Cameroon. 12 groundwater samples were analyzed using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectroscopy ICP-MS. Field measurement of physicochemical parameters was determined. R-mode statistical analysis;Pearson’s Correlation Analysis (PCA) together with Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA) between the trace metals and the physico-chemical parameters was carried out. Ten indices were determined: Four trace metal hazard indices;the average daily dose ADD (2.5E—07 to 0.2)) carcinogenic risks CR (2.1E—06 to 9.9E—04) and the non-carcinogenic risk hazard quotient HQ (5.7E—04 to 0.78) which yields the hazard indices HI (0.1 - 0.78), and six trace metal pollution indices;Degree of contamination DC (—13.53 to —11.02), Enrichment factor EF (0.26 - 35.47), Ecological risk factor Er (—29.92 - 7.04), Potential ecological risk index RI (-61.2-43.43), Pollution load index PLI (—0.01 - 0.04) and Geo-accumulation index Igeo (4.8E-09-3.0). From health risk indices and pollution evaluation indices on trace metals, the groundwater in Akwa-Mundemba area is safe for drinking. The enrichment factors show that the sources of the trace metals are from geogenic and anthropogenic processes. Arsenic, Lead and Vanadium are enriched although they are below the hazard risk values;this shows they have pollution potential that could be attributed to weathering and agricultural wastes. The severity of metal toxicity is governed by several factors, such as dose, nutrition, age, and even life style. Therefore, these low trends might not guarantee the complete absence of human health risks. Generally, from risk assessment on trace metals using risk indices in the analyzed groundwater samples might not cause any health risk. However, due to an increasing level of environmental pollution that might be imposed by increasing human activity in this area, groundwater sources might become a potential sink of contaminants;this is significant reason that makes constant monitoring, implementation and treatment of groundwater for drinking purposes necessary.展开更多
文摘Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum Mill) is a staple fruit vegetable widely grown worldwide for its rich nutrients including vitamins, minerals and proteins. In spite of its importance, yield and fruit quality in Buea, Cameroon is quite low compared to other countries. Pests and diseases are responsible for these limitations. Those of high importance are pinworm (Tatu absoluta) and Fusarium wilt respectively. Synthetic chemicals have been used to manage this pest/disease on tomato but this has not been very successful because of high cost and unavailability of these chemicals. Botanicals are known to have anti-microbial properties. 10% Leeks and marigold extracts were applied to tomato plants one week after planting. Five treatments were replicated four times in a randomized complete block. They include a control, a synthetic insecticide, leeks extract, marigold extract, and leeks/marigold extracts. Growth and yield parameters were evaluated and data obtained was analysed by descriptive statistics and ANOVA. Results showed that more tomato plant leaves were recorded in the leeks + marigold treatment (54) which differed significantly (P = 0.05) from the control (45). More fruits were harvested in the leeks + marigold treatment (32) which differed significantly (P = 0.05) from the control (18). Pinworm numbers were significantly higher in control (6) (P = 0.05) than the other treatments. Numerous leaf damage was observed in control (20) which differed significantly (P = 0.05) across treatments. More fruit damage was seen in control (14) and differed significantly (P = 0.05) from the other treatments. The least disease incidence was noted in Leeks + Marigold treatment (27.5%), and the most in control (72.5%) which differed significantly (P = 0.05) across treatments. Fusarium oxysporium and Fusarium semitectum were identified. There was a significant difference in pathogen number in control compared to other treatments. Thus leeks and marigold extract increased yield of tomato by mitigating the effects of leaf miner and fusarium wilt.
文摘The present work assesses the trace metal content in groundwater from Akwa-Mundemba, Bakassi Peninsular in Cameroon. 12 groundwater samples were analyzed using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectroscopy ICP-MS. Field measurement of physicochemical parameters was determined. R-mode statistical analysis;Pearson’s Correlation Analysis (PCA) together with Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA) between the trace metals and the physico-chemical parameters was carried out. Ten indices were determined: Four trace metal hazard indices;the average daily dose ADD (2.5E—07 to 0.2)) carcinogenic risks CR (2.1E—06 to 9.9E—04) and the non-carcinogenic risk hazard quotient HQ (5.7E—04 to 0.78) which yields the hazard indices HI (0.1 - 0.78), and six trace metal pollution indices;Degree of contamination DC (—13.53 to —11.02), Enrichment factor EF (0.26 - 35.47), Ecological risk factor Er (—29.92 - 7.04), Potential ecological risk index RI (-61.2-43.43), Pollution load index PLI (—0.01 - 0.04) and Geo-accumulation index Igeo (4.8E-09-3.0). From health risk indices and pollution evaluation indices on trace metals, the groundwater in Akwa-Mundemba area is safe for drinking. The enrichment factors show that the sources of the trace metals are from geogenic and anthropogenic processes. Arsenic, Lead and Vanadium are enriched although they are below the hazard risk values;this shows they have pollution potential that could be attributed to weathering and agricultural wastes. The severity of metal toxicity is governed by several factors, such as dose, nutrition, age, and even life style. Therefore, these low trends might not guarantee the complete absence of human health risks. Generally, from risk assessment on trace metals using risk indices in the analyzed groundwater samples might not cause any health risk. However, due to an increasing level of environmental pollution that might be imposed by increasing human activity in this area, groundwater sources might become a potential sink of contaminants;this is significant reason that makes constant monitoring, implementation and treatment of groundwater for drinking purposes necessary.