Ecological restoration partially relies on plant regeneration from the above-ground vegetation (AGV) and soil seed banks (SSB); however, the co-occurrence of species in these sources vary across ecosystems. In this study, we measured soil properties and surveyed SSB and AGV, monitored regenerants for two years to estimate survival rates. We assessed the variation of species abundance in AGV, SSB and natural regenerants using a log-linear model and tested for correlation between soil properties using Pearson’s correlation coefficient and the association between the importance value index and survival rate of regenerants using generalised linear models. We found within-community dissimilarity between AGV and SSB, and the co-occurrence of species was predicted by periods of invasive species removal. There were five (4.46%) common species and five (4.46%), 34 (30.36%) and 42 (37.5%) exclusive species in natural regenerants, SSB and AGV, respectively. The common species among all periods of invasive species removal were 12.5%, 20%, and 41.7% in AGV, natural regenerants, and SSB, respectively. The diversity of SSB was positively associated with the survival rate of regenerants, but not AGV diversity. Survival rates of regenerants were associated with seed mass but not plant height, while plant functional traits were not associated with importance value indices of AGV. These findings show that native plant recovery can be accelerated by removal of invasive species; however, diversity differences exist between AGV and SSB, which were not necessarily modulated by plant functional traits and soil characteristics.
Postharvest physiological deterioration (PPD) is one of the most critical constraints limiting the storage, marketing, and utilization of cassava ( Manihot esculenta ). The rapid onset of PPD after harvest, often within 24-72 hours, leads to discoloration, tissue breakdown, and significant reductions in root quality, resulting in postharvest losses that can reach up to 50% in many cassava-producing regions. This problem is particularly severe in sub-Saharan Africa, where cassava serves as a major staple crop and a primary source of calories for hundreds of millions of people. Understanding the underlying drivers of PPD is therefore essential for improving Cassava shelf life and strengthening food security. This study synthesizes current knowledge on the genetic and environmental factors controlling PPD in cassava and highlights their implications for breeding programs. Evidence indicates that PPD is a genetically regulated physiological response triggered by harvest-induced wounding and mediated through complex biochemical pathways, including reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, phenolic metabolism, and antioxidant defense systems. Significant genetic variability exists among cassava genotypes in their tolerance to PPD, with certain cultivars exhibiting delayed deterioration due to enhanced antioxidant activity and more efficient stress-response mechanisms. Advances in molecular genetics, including genome-wide association studies, single nucleotide polymorphism markers, and genomic-assisted selection, have enabled the identification of loci associated with PPD tolerance and accelerated the development of improved cassava varieties. In addition to genetic determinants, environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, harvesting methods, and storage conditions strongly influence the onset and progression of PPD. The interaction between genotype and environment further complicates the evaluation of PPD resistance, necessitating multi-environment trials and advanced statistical models to identify stable and adaptable genotypes. Integrating genetic improvement with optimized postharvest handling and storage practices offers a promising strategy to mitigate PPD. Ultimately, the development of cassava varieties with enhanced resistance to physiological deterioration will reduce postharvest losses, improve marketability, and contribute significantly to food security and the livelihoods of smallholder farmers in cassava-dependent regions.
Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) is an important oil seed crop in Chad, but its productivity is constrained by seed-borne fungal pathogens affecting seed quality, germination, and seedling establishment. This study examined the different seed-borne fungi associated with sesame varieties using two International Seed Testing Association (ISTA)-recommended methods: the blotter paper method and agar plate method. The results show that 22 fungal species were identified, with notable differences between the two methods. The blotter paper method detected 13 species, while the agar plate method revealed 22 species, with 3 375 isolates detected using the agar plate method compared to 1 070 isolates on blotter paper method. Using the blotter paper method, Alternaria sesami (13.28%), A. brassicicola (12.51%) and Macrophomina phaseolina (10.69%) were the most frequent species and Bipolaris spicifera (3.86%) and Nigrospora sphaerica (4.02%) were the least frequent. With the agar plate method, the most frequent species were A. sesami (16.92%), Aspergillus niger (12.57%) and Cercospora sesami (12.5%). Pestalotia guepini and Verticillium dahliae were the least frequent species, with respective frequencies of 0.41 and 0.61%. These results revealed a wide diversity of seed-borne fungi of sesame, highlighting the need to develop effective strategies to control these seed-borne fungi.
The effect of weed is one of the important limiting factors for crop growth and productivity in agricultural crop production. Weeds compete with tef for nutrients, soil moisture, sunlight and space. The magnitude of losses would depend upon the type of weeds and duration of competition with the crops. Mechanical and cultural methods sometimes do not work due to fact that there is a morphological similarity of some major weeds of the crops. Combining cultural methods, pre- or post-emergence application of herbicides and hand weeding has been found to be effective and economical. Then; there should be a little information on the “Effect of various Weeds management practices on yield and yield components of Tef”. Hence, this study was conducted in Buno Bedele zone (Gachi district) and Bedele (BeARC, Ilke sub-site) district; Southwestern Oromia to evaluate effectiveness of weed management practices on weeds, and growth, yield and yield components of tef and to determine optimum rates of herbicides, and their combination with hand weeding and hoeing for weed management in tef at Southwestern Oromia. The experiment was carried out in randomized completely block design (RCBD) with three replications. A total of ten weed control treatments were evaluated. The two years data (2023 and 2024) were noticed highly significant difference on the assessed parameters of weed, Yield and yield components of tef. The highest grain yield, Gross return and net return was obtained from Pallas 45 OD 0.5lt ha -1 + HW @ 40 DAS. Finally; using Pallas 45 OD 0.5lt ha -1 + HW @ 40 DAS is an economical and/or recommendable for tef production.
The increasing commoditization of traditional biostimulants has driven the need for more precise and targeted solutions in climate change scenarios. Single Biostimulant Molecules (SBM) represent a novel approach that departs from conventional multi-compound formulations, which often contain undefined mixtures of bioactive components, triggering multiple responses. Instead, SBMs focus on a specific bioactive molecule with a defined mode of action, ensuring greater consistency and predictability in plant responses under field conditions. This study evaluated Carrabiitol®, an oligosaccharide polyol single biostimulant molecule, for alleviating stress response in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum cv. ‘Arka Rakshak’). Plants were subjected to water deficit, high temperature, and salinity stress during the flowering stages. Treatment involved seed priming and application of Carrabiitol® (3ml/L) on foliage during vegetative and pre-flowering stages. Plants were evaluated for their Plant height, Number of fruits per plant, Total Soluble sugars, Total Acidity, Lycopene content, Carotenoids content and fruit yield. Experiments were arranged in a complete block randomized design with four replications. Results showed recovery in plant height and marketable yield with significant improvement in the tomato lycopene content that increased by more than 76% under water deficit stress and 164% under salinity stress when treated with Carrabiitol® @ 3ml/L (T6) compared to untreated plants (p ≤ 0.05). Total carotenoids improved by up to 89% (p ≤ 0.05). Overall, study illustrated that application of Single Biostimulant Molecule (SBM), Carrabiitol® was effective in improving the qualitative trait of tomatoes by alleviating applied abiotic stresses.
