Papers by Alusaine Samura
Pests and Diseases Management, Agricultural Practices, Production Constraints and Selection Criteria of Elite Cassava Varieties by Smallholder Farmers in Sierra Leone
Magna Scientia Advanced Research and Reviews, Sep 29, 2023
Farmers' perception on the severity and management practices on cassava has not been fully invest... more Farmers' perception on the severity and management practices on cassava has not been fully investigated particularly across agro-ecologies in Sierra Leone. This study assessed the perception of smallholder cassava farmers on the severity of Z. variegatus L., its impacts on yield and indigenous coping management practices utilized to mitigate the infestation of grasshoppers in their cassava farms. The population of the study comprised 300 cassava farmers sampled from the north, south and eastern provinces of Sierra Leone. The study involved questionnaire research instrument administered to smallholder farmers who were farming for household consumption, those producing for sale and household consumption and those who were mainly producing for sale because their primary goal was to produce for the market. Findings revealed that farmers had perceived abilities about agro-ecological distribution of grasshoppers, making them to be familiar with cassava crop damage severity pattern and easy identification. Farmers have ability to recognize and identify adult grasshoppers, and part(s) of cassava mostly affected by grasshoppers. Cassava leaves and stems are destroyed by the pest during either preferential feeding or as a result of 'choice, no choice feeding'. The study established that smallholder farmers have perceived abilities to identify damage symptoms, stage(s) in the life cycle of the pest that is/are more destructive leading to crop losses and utilization of best practices to mitigate grasshopper infestation on cassava that could be exploited for increased production, management and conservation of cassava genetic resources. Moreover, 52.3% of variation in extent of crop loss by grasshopper infestation is attributable to life cycle stage(s) of the grasshoppers, identification of part(s) of cassava plant mostly destroyed by grasshoppers, cassava variety preference by grasshoppers and the best practices that contribute to increased cassava productivity.
Characterization of the Cassava (Manihot esculenta) Germplasm in Sierra Leone Based on Agro-Morphological and Culinary Traits
Horticulturae, Jun 14, 2024
Advances in entomology, 2023
The use of artificial diets to mass reared insect stock under laboratory conditions, promotes kno... more The use of artificial diets to mass reared insect stock under laboratory conditions, promotes knowledge about the biology, behavior, and nutritional requirements of insects; with such information being fundamental for the formulation of efficient integrated pest management programs (IPM) strategies. However, the artificial diets used for rearing Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in the laboratory in this study, do not contain wheat germ, used for routine laboratory rearing. The aim of this study was to compare food preference and consumption by S. frugiperda larvae, as well as evaluate insect developmental parameters in the standard diet and the bean-based diets under laboratory conditions. Four artificial diets were used: a standard diet based on broad beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) used to rear S. frugiperda (D1), a diet with the substitution of two types of beans, cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) (D2) and pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan L) (D3); and a diet of fresh corn leaves (D4), the host plant of the pest species. Using a multiple-choice test, we observed that the larvae preferred diets D4 followed by D1. The relative consumption rate (RCR), relative growth rate (RGR), relative metabolic rate (RMR), approximate digestibility (AD), efficiency of conversion of ingested food (ECI), efficiency of conversion of digested food (ECD), and the metabolic cost (CM) for S. frugiperda fifth instar larvae varied among diets. The diet D4 resulted in better ingestion, digestion, assimilation, and conversion of food, but with a metabolic cost to assimilate the food. The different bean varieties present in the diet influenced larval length, larval pe-How to cite this paper:
Infestación de Saltamontes (Zonocerus variegatus L) y Contenido de Materia Seca en Raíces de Yuca Influenciados por la Fecha de Siembra y los Genotipos de Yuca
Peruvian journal of agronomy, Apr 22, 2023
Cassava - Biology, Production, and Use, 2021
A diagnostic survey was conducted in the rainy and dry seasons from 2014 to 2015 to determine the... more A diagnostic survey was conducted in the rainy and dry seasons from 2014 to 2015 to determine the incidence and severity of major diseases of cassava in Sierra Leone. At least three chiefdoms and five villages per district were targeted. The survey was carried out in fourteen districts of the country with geo references using a GPS. On the spot assessment was conducted in all fields. Prevalence, severity and incidence were calculated. The most dominant diseases included the cassava mosaic disease and the cassava bacterial blight. The prevalence of cassava mosaic disease was high with 69.1% and 61.5% in the rainy season and dry season, respectively. The prevalence of cassava bacterial blight was 100% and 92% in the rainy season and dry season, respectively. Diseases of less importance included white spot and brown spot diseases as well as cassava anthracnose disease. The study provides bases for the deployment of improved varieties and provides information on the seasonal prevalence,...
EVALUATION OF SOME PLANT EXTRACTS ON MYCELIAL GROWTH AND SPORULATION DENSITY OF FUNGAL PATHOGENS OF GROUNDNUT (Arachis hypogaea L.) IN-VITRO
The effect of autoclave and ultraviolet light-sterilized aqueous extracts of Tithonia diversifoli... more The effect of autoclave and ultraviolet light-sterilized aqueous extracts of Tithonia diversifolia, Chromolaena odorata and Tridax procumbens on mycelial growth and sporulation density of fungal pathogens were also determined in vitro. Aqueous extracts of the test plants significantly (p < 0.05) reduced mycelial growth of the fungal pathogens. Tithonia diversifolia extract inhibited mycelial growth of C. arachidicola by 96.17% while C. odorata extract reduced mycelial growth of A. alternata by 90.74%. Tridax procumbens extract suppressed mycelial growth of C. personatum by 92.4% at 7 days incubation. Chromolaena odorata extract reduced sporulation density of C. arachidicola by 81.16% while extract of T. diversifolia induced 81.8% reduction on sporulation density of A. alternata. T. diversifolia extract also curtailed sporulation density of C. personatum by 78.32%. Fungitoxicity attributable to ultraviolet light-sterilization of extracts was comparable to that of autoclave sterili...
Current Status of Root and Tuber Crops Improvement, Production and Utilization in Sierra Leone
Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is the second most important food crop after rice, the staple ... more Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is the second most important food crop after rice, the staple in Sierra Leone; it is also the most important root and tuber crop. It is followed by sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.), yam (Dioscorea spp.), which forms part of the traditional farming system and has only recently been included in the research agenda of NARC/SLARI and potato (Solanum tuberosum L) aka “Irish” potato in Sierra Leone, an introduced crop from neighbouring Republic of Guinea. Genetic improvement of the above crops is mainly through introduction of exotic germplasm from the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) at Ibadan, Nigeria; and screening, selection and advancement of promising lines in a participatory manner with farmers and other stakeholders in the crop development process. Breeding objectives of the above crops are aimed at addressing the devastating problem of pests and diseases prevalent in Sierra Leone, cassava mosaic disease (CMD), cassava bacterial blight (CBB), green mite, mealy bug and grasshoppers; sweet potato virus x and scab, and late blight of potato), yield and quality for the various desirable traits of eating, processing and potential industrial uses. Several genotypes of cassava have been released in the recent past (SLICASS 1-6) with yield range of 25-35 mt/ha whilst new and more nutrient-rich genotypes including yellow rooted ones with yield range of 40-50 mt/ha are in the pipeline for release. The yield ranges of sweet potato, yam and potato are 6-10 mt/ha, 10-27 mt/ha and 2-4 mt/ha, respectively. Four potato varieties (SLIPOT 1-4) were recently released to the farming population of Sierra Leone. The current status of cassava, sweet potato (including recent and more nutritious, âcarotene genotypes), yam and potato breeding activities at NARC/SLARI, Sierra Leone is summarized and presented. Yam and potato improvement is new but significant strides have already been made in identifying promising lines of the former with the desirable traits or qualities that are acceptable to both farmers and consumers alike in the country. Production of cassava has increased more than three folds since the end of the civil war in 2002, during which period it served as the most easily cultivated, accessible and affordable food crop, along with sweet potato to the majority of the then internally displaced population (IDP). Recent trends in production of these two crops are also given. Cassava transformation into many useful food products, especially gari, fufu and high quality cassava flour (HQCF) is receiving tremendous boost in many parts of the country by both regional and national projects (CFC/IITA/SLARI) Cassava Value Addition, USAID/IITA-Sierra Leone Unleashing the Power of Cassava in Africa (UpoCA), AfDB/FARA/CORAF/WECARD/ SLARI Promotion of Science and Technology for Agricultural Development (PSTAD) in Africa Project (Dissemination of New Agricultural Technologies in Africa (DONATA) and Regional Agricultural Information Learning Systems (RAILS), Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and the private sector. Strides made in that direction are also summarized and presented. On a lesser scale, processing of sweet potato into more durable and useful by-products such as flour is beginning to receive the necessary attention by scientists at NARC/SLARI, and Njala University (NU), Sierra Leone and the Federal University of Agriculture at Abeokuta (UNAAB) and Association of African Universities (AAU) Regional Food Developers Initiative (FDI) Project, Nigeria. This will hopefully prevent market glut and improve the livelihood of root and tuber crops farmers with a consequent reduction in poverty
International Journal of Agriculture and Forestry, 2014
Cassava is the most important root and tuber crop in Sierra Leone. Its low yield can be attribute... more Cassava is the most important root and tuber crop in Sierra Leone. Its low yield can be attributed to several production-limiting factors including cassava mosaic disease (CMD). This study examined in a much wider scope the diversity, prevalence, distribution, incidence and level of severity of the CMD within the cassava farming communities across major agro ecologies in Sierra Leone. A survey was conducted October, 2010. Field assessment was also conducted on farms evaluated. Data was collected on the spot and complimented with group discussions and interviews. Field coordinates were determined using a global positioning system (GPS) recorder. This study showed a countrywide prevalence of 85.2% out of 156 sites visited using GPS mapping. The rain forest ecology had the highest prevalence of 97.2% while the coastal plain had the lowest disease prevalence. Incidence of CMD per district was generally high. Tonkolili district recorded the highest incidence of 99.2% followed by Kailahum...
Journal of entomology and zoology studies, 2020
A field trial was carried out at the Department of Crop Protection, School of Agriculture and Foo... more A field trial was carried out at the Department of Crop Protection, School of Agriculture and Food Sciences, Njala University, to evaluate mulch materials for the control of Podagrica uniforma L., weeds, growth and yield of Abelmoschus esculentus L. The experiment was arranged in a randomized complete block design, with three replications. Treatments included two varieties of okra Clemson spineless (Improved) and Comi (Local) and four mulch materials (Carica papaya, Imperata cylindrica, Azadirachta indica and Gmelina arborea leaves) and control. Growth and yield characteristics were higher in Comi variety, significantly recorded the lowest population of Podagrica uniforma L. and number of damaged leaves. The findings revealed that Azadirachta indica (4.87 plant-1) leaves mulch however proved to be the most effective in the control of Podagrica uniforma L. whereas imperata cylindrica controls weeds. Significant and positive correlation existed between pod yield and width, and also be...
Farmer’s Knowledge, Perception and Management of Ke y Pest’s of Okra, Abelmoschus Esculentus (L.) Moench in Southern Sierra Leone
Baseline survey was carried out using well-structur ed questionnaire in five selected communities... more Baseline survey was carried out using well-structur ed questionnaire in five selected communities in Bo City (Njagboima, Kowama, Airfield , Kulanda Town and Moriba Town) in December 2013 to January 2014. A random sample of f ifty (50) okra farmers, with ten (10) per community were targeted; including both full-time a nd part-time growers. The objective of the study was to unravel indigenous knowledge of farmers on o kra pests, constraint to okra production and to ascertain the most important pests and indigenous m ethods of control. Results from the study indicated that all the farmers had the problem of pests on th eir farms; including insect pests, vertebrate pests , diseases and weeds; with insect pests ranked as the most important. Flea beetle ( Podagrica uniforma), mole-cricket, grasshopper, aphids and ants were ide ntified as the most important insect pests of okra, with flea beetle ( Podagrica uniforma) ranked as the most damaging insect pest during th e dry season (84%). Abo...
An overview of cassava mosaic disease and its implications for the productivity of cassava in Sierra Leone
CABI Reviews, 2019
This paper provides current information on the importance of cassava, characteristics of cassava ... more This paper provides current information on the importance of cassava, characteristics of cassava farms, distribution of cassava mosaic disease (CMD), management practices and potential of resistant varieties to mitigate against the effects of CMD in Sierra Leone. There is a high prevalence of African cassava mosaic virus in Sierra Leone and East African cassava mosaic virus has also been detected recently. Improvement in the deployment of CMD-resistant varieties has had a positive effect of increasing the area under cultivation of improved varieties. Much has to be done in the area of early detection and diagnosis for the management of CMD. More effort must be placed on the breeding of cassava genotypes that meet the food, traditional and cultural needs of farmers as well as the industrial needs for commercialization.
Journal of Agricultural Science and Practice, 2017
As an essential coping strategy for providing the vital augmentation of food stocks in urban cent... more As an essential coping strategy for providing the vital augmentation of food stocks in urban centers, there has been a considerable expansion of urban and peri-urban agriculture in Sierra Leone since the end of the civil war in 2002. In many of these urban and peri-urban cropping sites, sources of water are usually polluted by urban wastes posing potential risk of heavy metal toxicity. This study was carried out to determine the risks associated with heavy metal contamination in urban and peri-urban cropping systems in Sierra Leone. Soil and plant samples were collected from 72 sites from the largest and second largest cities, Freetown and Bo. The samples were analyzed for Zn, Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb and Cd, and the results compared to established reference values. Heavy metals were detected across all sites, with highest concentrations found in Freetown. Values obtained were mostly below the reference values for both soil and plant samples. Some mild risk of toxicity by Cd was observed in densely populated areas of Freetown, but this was not reflected in the plant uptake of Cd. In general, the risk posed by heavy metals in the urban centers of Sierra Leone is minimal, but measures should be taken to prevent further increase in heavy metal concentration in urban cropping sites.
International Journal of Agriculture and Forestry, 2012
Reports of damage by grasshopper Zonocerus variegatus (L.) to cassava and other crops has increas... more Reports of damage by grasshopper Zonocerus variegatus (L.) to cassava and other crops has increased in recent years. The attack on cassava is particularly threatening to the livelihood of many poor subsistence farmers in Sierra Leone. As such, an evaluation was conducted to investigate the use of host plant resistance as an alternative method of managing grasshopper rather than the sole reliance on chemicals. The experiment was laid out in a randomized co mplete block design with three rep lications. Two b locks were used (protected and unprotected) with twenty cassava varieties
Journal of Plant Sciences and Crop Protection, 2018
In Sierra Leone, cassava is the second most important food crop after rice, the country's staple.... more In Sierra Leone, cassava is the second most important food crop after rice, the country's staple. It is also the most important storage root and tuber crop [1]. Cassava is also grown all over the country and remarkable progress has been made in breeding for resistance to the African Cassava Mosaic Virus (ACMV). Cassava processing activities have increased at both domestic and commercial scales, although to varying degrees [2]. Yields of cassava in Sierra Leone are generally estimated at 7.4t/ha tons [3]. Much of this is as a result of the cultivation of local varieties infected with cassava mosaic disease (CMD) over improved cassava varieties that have been released by the Sierra Leone Agricultural Research Institute [4]. Furthermore there is limited access to improved varieties that meet farmers' desired traits. The study was therefore undertaken with the general objective to screen and identify promising cassava genotypes with resistance to CMD that meets farmers' desired traits. Cassava plays an important role as a food security crop in Sub-Saharan Africa. However, yields of cassava in Sierra Leone are generally low. Adoption of improved varieties resistant to the Cassava Mosaic Disease (CMD) which is one of the most limiting factors of production remains low. Therefore cultivation of local varieties infected with the cassava mosaic disease dominates the farming system in Sierra Leone. The study was therefore undertaken with the general objective to screen and identify promising cassava genotypes with resistance to CMD that meets farmers' desired traits. A total collection of 2,000 cassava genotypes introduced from the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and 100 local collections were initially screened at the Njala Agricultural Research Center. This was preceded by multi location trials in a randomized complete block design using cassava mosaic infected varieties an infector rows. The 1-5 scale was used to assess cassava mosaic disease. Culinary traits were assessed. The approach used in the study was a participatory varietal selection process. Most of the cassava genotypes identified by farmers had high resistance to the cassava mosaic diseases with no disease symptom. Yenkessa in the coastal plains had significantly highest severity score of 1.3. Out of the 76 varieties identified and tested, 14 genotypes had good culinary traits for use as food. MM96/7204 (4X) had the highest mean storage root yield of 47.0 t/ha followed by 06/1474 with 43.24 t/ha and were identified for use in the cassava industry. The study concluded that Kabala, Kenema and Makeni were the best environments for growing cassava. One hundred local varieties were collected country-wide in farmer's fields from different agro-ecologies with varying level of resistance to CMD. These materials were evaluated along with 2,000 genotypes introduced from IITA for the purpose of this study. The 2,000 cassava genotypes and 100 local varieties were collected from major cassava growing regions in the world which were grouped into different families as follows:
Asian Journal of Agricultural Extension, Economics & Sociology, 2018
This study assess the performance and efficiencies of existing (4) gari production systems (profi... more This study assess the performance and efficiencies of existing (4) gari production systems (profitability and marketing margins as well as the strengths, weakness, opportunities and constraints) in Sierra Leone. The Policy Analysis Matrix (PAM) was used for the analysis. Multistage random sampling was used to select study samples. Information was collected using a structured questionnaire from a total of 108 gari processors in 24 chiefdoms. Data collected included cost return and socioeconomic variables. The PAM was based on 50 Kg of fresh cassava storage roots and Leone (SSL) as money to evaluate costs and revenues. The analysis indicates that only three (3) cassava gari production systems (2, 3 & 4) present a Domestic Resource Cost Ratio of less than 1 (DRC < 1) and Cost-Benefit Ratio (CBR) also less than 1 (CBR within 0.64 to 0.96). Cassava gari
Survey on the Occurrence and Distribution of Major Cassava Arthropod Pests in Sierra Leone
Insect pests constitute the greatest constraint to cassava production in Sierra Leone and Africa ... more Insect pests constitute the greatest constraint to cassava production in Sierra Leone and Africa as a whole. The aim of the study was to generate up to date information on the status of cassava insect pests in the country. The objectives were to identify, map and determine the prevalence, incidence, severity and distribution in the major geo-political districts of the country. A total of 171 cassava farms were visited countrywide during the rainy season survey whilst a total of 193 farms were visited during the dry season survey with an average of 15 farms per district. The result of the survey reveals significant differences in percentage incidence, severity score and prevalence of the major cassava pests with respect to district, cassava variety and season. Percentage incidences and severity scores of the major insect pests were higher on local cassava varieties in most of the districts compared to improved varieties. The Population of the assessed insect pests were generally high...
International Journal of Horticulture, 2020
Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is one of the world’s major food legume crops that is severely af... more Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is one of the world’s major food legume crops that is severely affected by early leaf spot and groundnut rosette disease in Sierra Leone. The recent decline in yields of groundnut in Sierra Leone has been associated with the low calcium application. Therefore, a study was conducted to assess the potential of cement as lime in ameliorating rosette disease problem and low yield of groundnut in Sierra Leone. This experiment was conducted under field conditions at Njala, Kori chiefdom. The experimental design was a randomized complete block with five (5) treatment of cement application (0, 50, 100, 200 & 400 kg/ha). Disease severity for the rosette leaf spot was assessed based on a 1-3 scale while cercospora leaf spot was 1-9 scale for 39 high yielding groundnut lines. The application of cement at 0, 50, 100, 200, & 400 kg/ha did not have any significant influence on the incidence and severity of rosette or cercospora diseases. However, the improved lines...
American Journal of Education, 2019
Okra is a very important vegetable in the field of nutrition and health care in Sierra Leone. The... more Okra is a very important vegetable in the field of nutrition and health care in Sierra Leone. The major limiting factors in okra production are incidence of insect pests and improper plant spacing. The present field research was undertaken at the Department of Crop Protection, School of Agriculture, Njala University to evaluate the effect of plant spacing on insect pest population, growth and yield, and profitability of okra production in Sierra Leone from 2017 to 2018 main cropping seasons. Five levels of plant spacing 50 cm × 40 cm (50,000 plants per hectare), 60 cm × 30 cm (55,556 plants per hectare), 60 cm × 40 cm (41,667 plants per hectare), 70 cm × 30 cm (47,619 plants per hectare), and 70 cm × 40 cm (35,714 plants per hectare) were adopted as treatments with three replications in randomized complete block design. The results of analysis of variance revealed that plant spacing were significant (P < 0.05) on insect population, plant height, leaf area, damage leaves, yield an...
Journal of Agricultural Science
The paper examined and brought to the fore the typical characteristic of urban and peri-urban far... more The paper examined and brought to the fore the typical characteristic of urban and peri-urban farmers in Freetown and Bo communities which serves as major source of supply of agricultural products into the cities’ markets. The social and environmental aspect and perception of producers involved in urban and peri-urban agriculture was examined. Descriptive statistics and pictograms were used to analyze and present the data. Results indicate that 56.34% never went to formal school and mostly dominated by women, showing that farming became the alternative means of livelihood support for those groups. Crops grown are purely influenced by market orientation—demand and cost, as is evident in Gloucester (lettuce, cabbage and spring onions). Potato leaves were commonly grown in almost all communities, reason being that it serves as common/major sauce/vegetable cooked in every household in Sierra Leone. Maize and rice were featured in Ogoo farm—government supervised land set aside purposely ...
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Papers by Alusaine Samura