Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is an important food security crop in sub-Saharan Africa and other tropical regions, but its genetic improvement is hindered by long breeding cycles and labour-intensive phenotyping procedures. This study aimed to develop a rapid phenotyping protocol and assess its predictive capacity for yield and plant architecture traits in cassava using Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) data obtained with an affordable handheld sensor (Trimble GreenSeeker). A diverse panel of 453 cassava accessions was evaluated across two contrasting agroecological zones in Nigeria: Mokwa (Southern Guinea Savannah) and Onne (Humid Forest) during the 2021/2022 planting season. NDVI data collected at 3, 6, and 9 months after planting (MAP) were integrated with ground truth phenotypic measurements of 26 agronomic traits. Broad-sense heritability estimates were moderate to high for fresh root yield (0.56), dry matter content (0.61), starch content (0.61) and harvest index (0.66), indicating substantial potential for genetic gains through selection. Genotypic correlations revealed strong negative relationships between lodging and yield-related traits, fresh root yield (r = − 0.56) and harvest index (r = − 0.72). This highlights the importance of plant architecture to cassava productivity. NDVI measured at 6 months after planting showed high predictive accuracy for fresh root yield, dry yield and root weight in Mokwa (R² 0.90), while moderate prediction accuracy was observed in Onne (R² 0.50) due to environmental effects. These findings confirm the applicability of handheld NDVI sensors as cost-effective tools for enhanced phenotyping and selection in cassava breeding programs for rapid genetic gains and varietal development under diverse field conditions.
Coccidiosis remains the most economically significant parasitic disease in poultry production, impacting bird health and farm profitability. This study investigated the clinical signs and pathological effects of coccidiosis in broiler chickens, and the response to treatment. Forty-five day-old broiler chicks were randomly assigned into three groups (A–C), each with 15 birds: Group A (uninfected, untreated control), Group B (infected, untreated), and Group C (infected, treated with amprolium 1g/2L). Gross lesions in infected birds (Groups B and C) included distended caeca with clotted blood, caseous debris, petechiation, mucosal thickening, and ecchymosis. Clinical and pathological recovery was observed from day 14 post-infection, particularly in the treated group. Histologically, Group B exhibited severe mucosal erosion, ulceration, and abundant oocysts and schizonts, accompanied by oedema, haemorrhages, and cellular infiltration. The liver showed sinusoidal congestion, hypoplastic lymphoid aggregates, and focal hepatocyte degeneration. Group C displayed similar but milder lesions. Activity and fecal scores declined significantly in infected birds, correlating with increased oocyst counts. The worsening pathology impaired intestinal mucosa, reducing nutrient absorption and feed conversion efficiency. The findings underscore the detrimental impact of coccidiosis on broiler health and performance. Treated birds (Group C) showed improved clinical outcomes, highlighting the importance of timely therapeutic intervention. The study recommends preventive management strategies and prophylactic treatment to mitigate economic losses associated with coccidiosis. Ultimately, maintaining gut integrity is essential for optimal productivity in broiler operations.
Food waste significantly undermines food security in Nigeria by reducing both the quantity and quality of available food, thereby threatening dietary diversity. This study investigates the magnitude and determinants of household food waste and its effect on dietary diversity among farming households in Nigeria. Using a cross-sectional comparative design, the study analyses secondary microdata from the Nigeria General Household Survey–Panel (Wave 5) with a sample of 1,953 households. Household food waste was estimated using a commodity flow balance approach, while dietary diversity was measured using the Household Dietary Diversity Score (HDDS). Results reveal that spices and condiments, cereals, oils and fats, and vegetables are the primary contributors to household food waste. Significant spatial disparities were observed, with rural households reporting a substantially higher mean food waste than urban households. While urban households showed a fairly higher average HDDS than rural households, 52.43% of households maintain medium HDDS. Findings further indicate that food waste exerts a strong and statistically significant negative effect on dietary diversity. The study concludes that food waste is a major structural barrier to achieving nutritional adequacy in Nigeria. Thus, investments in rural post-harvest infrastructure and cold-chain logistics for highly perishable food are encouraged to mitigate high waste levels observed in farming.
Historically, Taro (Colocasia esculenta) was the primary nutrient-dense traditional staple in southern Nigeria until the introduction of Tannia (Xanthosoma sagittifolium). Xanthosoma possesses characteristics enabling its utilization in diverse food forms comparable to, or exceeding, the versatility of Irish potato. Human dietary habits are fundamentally influenced by food availability, diversity, and safety, shaped by climate, soil, geography, and culture. Shifts in economic status, education, and industrialization further modify consumption trends. The oil boom era (1973-1982) in Nigeria precipitated urbanization and increased preference for exotic foods in the Southeast. However, current economic challenges, coupled with renewed recognition of tannia’s nutritional and medicinal benefits, are facilitating the re-emergence of its former significance in the local food culture.
Yam (Dioscorea spp.) encompasses diverse species, including several staple food crops, of which a few were domesticated on the African continent. This study assessed yam genetic diversity in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) to inform breeding and conservation initiatives. A diverse collection of 1,247 yam accessions representing six species (D. rotundata, D. alata, D. praehensilis, D. bulbifera, D. cayenensis, and D. dumetorum) sourced from six African countries (Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Nigeria, and Uganda) was used in this study. Genetic diversity was assessed using 7,648 single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers, selected from previously sequenced datasets between the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) and National Agricultural Research and Extension Systems (NARES) collaboration. Findings showed a substantial inter- and intra-specific variation in African yam germplasm, with observed heterozygosity ranging from 0.165 to 0.464 and an average polymorphic information content (PIC) of 0.324 across populations. Population structure was assessed using ADMIXTURE (with cross-validation error for optimal K), DAPC (with BIC for K), and an IBS-based Neighbor-Joining (NJ) tree. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) indicated moderate differentiation among countries (FST = 0.07), and higher differentiation among species (average FST = 0.14). Clustering patterns and phylogenetic analysis revealed the presence of evolutionary relationships among D. cayenensis, D. praehensilis, and D. rotundata, providing insights into D. rotundata domestication history in West Africa. These findings enhance our understanding of genetic relationships within the Dioscorea genus.
