Asian Journal of Biology

Effect of Artemisia annua Extracts on Lettuce Cultivation in Saïoua, Ivory Coast

Sat, 10 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Background: Lettuce production in Saïoua is constrained by pest pressure and frequent dependence on synthetic inputs.

Aims: This study evaluated the effect of Artemisia annua L. extracts on the growth and yield of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) in Saïoua, with the aim of proposing a sustainable agroecological alternative to synthetic chemical pesticides.

Study Design: The trial was established on 100 m² using a Fisher block design with 15 experimental units (12 plants per unit). Five treatments, each replicated three times, were compared: untreated control (Tm), aqueous extract of Artemisia annua (Te), Artemisia powder (Po), Artemisia residues (Re), and the chemical insecticide TOP LAMBDA 25 EC (So).

Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in Saïoua (Châteaux neighbourhood), Ivory Coast. The nursery phase lasted 21 days, followed by field monitoring until harvest (30 days).

Methodology: The plants were transplanted at a spacing of 40 cm × 40 cm. Agronomic parameters (number of leaves, height, and spread) and production parameters (yield) were measured and then analysed using ANOVA and the Newman-Keuls and Tukey tests (p < 0.05) in the R software package.

Results: The aqueous extract produced the highest observed agronomic values, with 5.12 ± 1.54 leaves/plant, a height of 7.65 cm, and a spread of 9.84 ± 2.85 cm, compared with 2.24 leaves, 3.74 cm, and 5.08 cm for the control. In terms of yield, the aqueous extract recorded the highest observed value (60 g/m²), compared with the chemical insecticide (50 g/m²) and the control (20 g/m²). Strong positive correlations (R = 0.9580–0.9927) were observed among the growth variables.

Conclusion: The aqueous extract of Artemisia annua combines biopesticidal and biofertilising properties that stimulate lettuce growth. It represents an effective and environmentally friendly organic alternative for vegetable growers in Saïoua.

Assessment of the Quality of Raw Cashew Nuts Stored in Bobo-Dioulasso City, Burkina Faso

Thu, 15 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Since 2024, Burkina Faso has received repeated notifications concerning insect pests detected in international consignments of raw cashew nuts, highlighting the need for effective post-harvest management. This study assessed the quality-related storage conditions of raw cashew nuts in Bobo-Dioulasso. A socioeconomic survey involved 79 stakeholders in the cashew sector, and storage conditions were evaluated through inspections of 36 warehouses. Insect sampling and laboratory identification were conducted to characterise pests associated with stored nuts. Among exporters, 83.33% applied drying and manual sorting before storage, while 11.11% used fumigation and 47.22% used recycled bags. Warehouse inspections showed that 92% of bags were stacked without adequate spacing, 78% were stored directly on the floor, and 69% of warehouses had inadequate ventilation. Nine insect pest species were identified: Ephestia cautella, Carpophilus mutilatus, Lasioderma serricorne, Tribolium castaneum, Oryzaephilus mercator, Sitophilus zeamais, Ahasverus advena, and Cryptolestes ferrugineus, as well as Drasterius sp. Ephestia cautella was the most abundant species in several warehouses. Overall, the findings indicate weaknesses in storage practices and warehouse conditions that may compromise the quality of raw cashew nuts. Improved warehouse hygiene, ventilation, bag management, spacing, and use of pallets are therefore important for maintaining stored nut quality.

Genetic Diversity and Strong Population Structure of Tallow Tree (Pentadesma butyracea) in Natural Stands of Bassila, Benin: Insights from Microsatellite Markers

Fri, 16 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The main objective of this study was to assess whether genetic diversity within individual mother trees influences allelic diversity within Pentadesma butyracea stands. Eight microsatellite markers were assessed in 43 individuals from 15 mother trees belonging to three natural stands of Pentadesma butyracea (Manigri, Bakabaka and Pénessoulou). The results reveal moderate genetic diversity within stands and marked differentiation among them. Four loci (50%) were polymorphic in Manigri, and five (62.5%) in Bakabaka and Pénessoulou. Pent18 and Pent24 were the most discriminating markers (PIC up to 0.720). The mean number of alleles per locus ranged from 2.6 to 3, and the Shannon index remained below 1 (0.144–0.294). Expected heterozygosity was similar in Manigri (He = 0.477) and Bakabaka (0.488), and lower in Pénessoulou (0.403), where a heterozygote deficit was observed (Ho = 0.389; FIS = 0.035), whereas an excess was observed in Manigri (FIS = −0.209). Genetic distances among individuals from the same mother tree were generally low (0 to 0.914). Genetic differentiation was very high (FST = 0.619 to 0.685). Among-stand variability (DST = 54.4%) exceeded within-stand variability (He = 46%). Gene flow was very low (Nm = 0.076–0.101). Principal coordinate analysis (96.22%) distinguished two gene pools comprising individuals from all populations. UPGMA clustering of the 43 individuals defined three groups, one of which comprised 83% of individuals, originating from several mother trees and stands, some with zero genetic distance. These results provide key molecular tools and crucial genetic insights to optimize mother tree selection, guide reforestation programs, and prioritize in situ conservation of unique and fragmented gene pools of Pentadesma butyracea.

Phytochemical Characterization and Concentration-dependent Antimicrobial Activity of Kaempferia galanga L. Rhizome Essential Oil

Marufa Ibnat, Kuno Chuzho — Fri, 16 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Kaempferia galanga L. (Zingiberaceae) is an aromatic rhizomatous medicinal plant whose essential oil is characterised by marked geographical and chemotypic variation. The present study characterised the rhizome essential oil of K. galanga collected from Marngar, Ri-Bhoi district, Meghalaya, northeastern India, and evaluated its in vitro antimicrobial activity against selected bacterial and fungal microorganisms. Hydrodistillation of 1 kg fresh rhizomes yielded approximately 4 g of pale-yellow essential oil, corresponding to 0.40% (w/w) on a fresh-weight basis. GC-MS analysis was performed on a Thermo Scientific ISQ-7000 system. The instrument report recorded a 41.99-min run, 1.00 µL injection volume, and 29 integrated chromatographic peaks accounting for 100% of total peak area. Library searching produced strong matches for ethyl p-methoxycinnamate (EPMC) at 12.541 min (22.36%; SI/RSI 908/930) and 13.891 min (5.19%; SI/RSI 942/946). Other abundant tentative first-hit assignments included p-mentha-1(7),8-dien-2-ol (13.56%), 1-octadecanesulphonyl chloride (8.87%), epicurzerenone (7.44%), an oxygenated sesquiterpenoid-like furanone (6.91%), camphene (6.80%), α-terpineol (6.58%) and β-acorenol (6.05%). Because several assignments showed only moderate spectral similarity or were chemically unusual, all library-based identities are treated as tentative pending retention-index and authentic-standard confirmation. The essential oil showed a clear concentration-dependent inhibitory response against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Aspergillus fumigatus and Nigrospora sphaerica. At 1000 µg mL⁻¹, inhibition ranged from 89.70 ± 0.92% for P. aeruginosa to 97.30 ± 0.58% for A. fumigatus. One-way ANOVA showed a significant effect of concentration for every microorganism (P<0.001), while PCA indicated that the common concentration gradient accounted for most multivariate variation (PC1=99.65%). The findings establish a location-specific chemical and antimicrobial profile for K. galanga from Meghalaya and support further confirmation of its major volatile constituents and standardised antimicrobial testing.