Julienne NGUEFACK

Julienne NGUEFACK · UY1 Research Hub

2023Journal articleOpen access

Characterization of Compost Made from Chicken Droppings and Fish Bones, and Its Application to Tomato Cultivation

Dakolé Daboy Charles, Okala Bouillong Noelly Manuela, Molemb Nemeté Aristide, Martin Fonkoua, Dongmo Lekagne Joseph Blaise, Julienne Nguefack

Asian Journal of Advances in Agricultural Research

The effect of compost made from chicken droppings and fish bones on soil quality and tomato production was evaluated. The soil of Bokito (Central Region-Cameroon) was amended with four variants C1, C2, C3 and C4 of compost at 5%, 10%, and 15% compost/soil (w/w). The experimental device was completely randomized en bloc with 5 repetitions for each treatment. The physicochemical, biological and biochemical parameters of compost and amended soils, as well as tomato production were evaluated. The highest concentrations of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium were obtained with C3 (1.96g/Kg) and C2 (0.42 g/Kg; 0.08 g/Kg) respectively. The different compost variants had a C/N ratio between 21.88 (C1) and 30.27 (C2) and their pH was basic. They were rich in exchangeable ions (Mg2+, Ca2+, K+, Na+) and poor in heavy metals (Pb, Zn, Cu). A significant increase in the C/N ratio was noted in all the amended soils compared to the unamended soil. It varied from 12.50±0.10 (unamended soil) to 30.55±2.04 (C1 10%). Exchangeable ion concentrations (Mg2+, Ca2+, K+, Na+) were higher in amended soils. The bacterial biomass varied from 347 x 105UFC/g (C4) to 609 x105UFC/g (C2) values significantly higher than that of the unamended soil (100 x105UFC/g). The fungal biomass varied from 470 x105UFC/g (C1) to 781 x105UFC/g (C2) values significantly higher than that of the unamended soil (120 x105UFC/g). The 15% C2 component presented the highest cellulase and protease activities with values 3 and 9 times higher than the unamended soil respectively. The compost variants C2 and C1 (15%) were generally more productive with respective values of 85 and 69 fruits, the tomato amended with the chemical fertilizer having given 24 fruits. These results show that compost made from chicken droppings and fish bones could contribute to the development of green manure to enrich the soil, thus improving tomato production.

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2023Journal articleOpen access

Characterization of Compost Made from hen Manure and Wood Ash and Its Effect on Soil Properties, Production and Nutritional Quality of Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.)

Tchinda Fokoua Stella Laure, Dakolé Daboy Charles, Molemb Nemeté Aristide, Okala Bouillong Noelly Manuela, Martin Fonkoua, Julienne Nguefack

Asian Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition

The effect of a compost based on chicken manure and wood ash on the production and nutritional quality of tomatoes was evaluated. The mixtures of the constituents of each compost were made at variable m/m proportions: 25/75 (C1); 50/50 (C2); 75/25 (C3) and 100/0 (C4). Tomato cultivation in pots was done in completely randomized random blocks with 5 repetitions, and 3 compost/soil m/m proportions (5%, 10% and 15%). The physicochemical and biochemical parameters of the compost and the amended soil, as well as the production and nutritional quality of the fruits, were evaluated. The compost showed higher pH values than the unamended soil. The C3 variant exhibited the highest pH (9.97±0.00). The C/N ratio varied from 14.78±0.67 to 15.30±0.35 values higher than that of the unamended soil (11.86±0.27); exchangeable ion concentrations were higher in the compost. The microbial biomass and the enzyme activities of the compost were significantly higher than those of the unamended soil, the greatest values were obtained with the C3 variant. pH, EC, C/N ratio, and exchangeable ion concentrations were higher in all treated soils than in soils amended with chemical fertilizer. Tomato production was higher with the variant (15% C3) with a value of 156.00 ± 1.00 fruits, the soil amended with chemical fertilizer having given 14.00 ± 1.00 fruits. Biological tomatoes obtained with compost were richer in lycopene, vitamin C, phenolic compounds and minerals than those obtained with chemical inputs (Chemical tomatoes). The compost has improved the production and nutritional quality of the tomato, which is an efficient alternative for sustainable agriculture.

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2023Journal articleOpen access

Compost Made from Cow Dung and Sawdust Improves the Physicochemical and Biochemical Properties of the Soil, the Production and the Nutritional Quality of Tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.)

Lekini Bela Jean Gérard, Dakolé Daboy Charles, Molemb Nemeté Aristide, Okala Bouillong Noelly Manuela, Martin Fonkoua, Julienne Nguefack

Asian Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition

The effect of a compost based on cow dung and sawdust on the production and nutritional quality of tomatoes was evaluated. The compost was prepared by mixing the different constituents in variable mass/mass proportions: 25/75, 50/50, 75/25 and 100/0. The experimental device for growing tomatoes in pots was made in completely randomized random blocks with 5 repetitions, and 3 compost/soil mass/mass proportions (5%, 10% and 15%) for each variant. The physicochemical, biological and biochemical parameters of the compost and amended soils, the production and the nutritional quality of the fruits were evaluated. The C3 variant of compost showed the highest pH (9.88 ± 0.01); C4 presented the highest C/N ratio (21.45 ± 0.42); C2 showed the highest contents of nitrogen, phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, potassium, and sodium, the highest values of bacterial and fungal flora and cellulase, protease, β-glucosidase, acid and alkaline phosphatase activities. Analysis of amended soils showed that: C2 (15%) has the highest pH. C1 (10%) presented the highest C/N ratio (42.12 ± 3.98) and C3 (15%) the highest contents of nitrogen, magnesium ions and calcium. C4 (15%) presented the highest potassium and sodium content. The compost significantly improved tomato production. The C2 (15%) compost was the most productive with 154 ± 3.00 fruits, 10 times more than the tomato produced with chemical fertilizer (15.00 ± 1.00 fruits). The Biological tomato showed higher proportions of ash, total sugars, lycopene, vitamin C and polyphenols than the chemical tomato. The results show that the organic treatment improved the physicochemical, biological and biochemical properties of the soil, the production and the nutritional quality of the tomato. The compost constitutes therefore an efficient method for sustainable agriculture.

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2023Journal articleOpen access

Differential Changes in Some Antioxidant Enzymes and Biomolecules in Leaves of Tomato Infected by Phytophthora infestans (Mont.) de Bary

Dakolé Daboy Charles, Bekono Mamdjara Larry Axel, Martin Fonkoua, Molemb Nemeté Aristide, Dongmo Lekagne Joseph Blaise, Julienne Nguefack and 1 more

Asian Journal of Advances in Agricultural Research

In Cameroon, tomato yields remain low due to attack by pathogens and insects. Phytophtora infestans (PI) is a phytopathogenic fungus responsible for the downy mildew of tomatoes, a fungal disease responsible for enormous economic losses. To contribute to the search for means of control, the stimulatory effect of the tomato defence system by extracts of some plants was evaluated. Tomato plants were treated with the aqueous macerates of Callistemon citrinus (C. citrinus) and Cymbopogon citratus (C. citratus) at 10% (W/V). After 4 days of spraying with the macerates, plants were inoculated with a virulent strain of PI. Tomato leaves collected at 2-day intervals for 10 days were used to determine the contents of chlorophyll a, proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, amino acids and proline. The activities of the main antioxidant enzymes were also assessed: Ascorbate Peroxidase (APX), Phenylalanine Ammonia Lyase (PAL), Peroxidase (POX), Superoxide Dismutase (SOD). The results showed that treatment of tomato plants with aqueous macerates of C. citrinus and C. citratus and their inoculation with PI induced an increase in chlorophyll a, protein, carbohydrate, lipid, amino acid and proline contents in tomato leaves; an increase in APX, PAL, POX, and SOD activities. Our results suggested that increased metabolite synthesis on the one hand, and increased enzymatic activities, on the other hand, could mitigate the oxidative damage that occured during pathogen expansion. Aqueous macerates of C. citrinus and C. citratus could be used as natural products to stimulate the defence system in tomato against Phytophtora infestans.

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2023Journal articleOpen access

Exploiting the microbiome associated with normal and abnormal sprouting rice (Oryza sativa L.) seed phenotypes through a metabarcoding approach

Albert Dongmo Nanfack, Julienne Nguefack, Samson Musonerimana, Salvatore La China, Davide Giovanardi, Emilio Stefani

Microbiological Research

Rice germination and seedlings' growth are crucial stages that influence crop establishment and productivity. These performances depend on several factors, including the abundance and diversity of seed microbial endophytes. Two popular rainfed rice varieties cultivated in Cameroon, NERICA 3 and NERICA 8, were used for investigating the seed-associated microbiome using the Illumina-based 16 S rRNA gene. Significant differences were observed in terms of richness index between normal and abnormal seedlings developed from sprouting seeds, although no significant species evenness index was assessed within either phenotype. Two hundred ninety-two bacterial amplicon sequence variants were identified in seed microbiome of the rice varieties, and principal coordinate analysis revealed that microbial communities formed two distinct clusters in normal and abnormal seedling phenotypes. Overall, 38 bacteria genera were identified, belonging to 6 main phyla. Furthermore, the core microbiome was defined, and the differential abundance of 28 bacteria genera was assessed. Based on the collected results, putative bacterial genera were directly correlated with the development of normal seedlings. For most genera that are recognised to include beneficial species, such as Brevundimonas, Sphingomonas, Exiguobacterium, Luteibacter, Microbacterium and Streptomyces, a significant increase of their relative abundance was found in normal seedlings. Additionally, in abnormal seedlings, we also observed an increased abundance of the genera Kosakonia and Paenibacillus, which might have controversial aspects (beneficial or pathogenic), together with the presence of some genera (Clostridium sensu stricto) that are commonly correlated to sick plants. The putative functional gene annotation revealed the higher abundance of genes related to the metabolic biosynthesis of soluble carbohydrates and starch, tryptophan, nucleotides and ABC transporters in normal seedlings. Data presented in this study may help in further understanding the importance of the seed endophyte microbiome for driving a correct development of rice plants at the early stages and to identify possible beneficial bacteria for technological applications aimed to increase seed quality and crop productivity.

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2023Journal articleOpen access

Plant Extracts Induced Resistance to Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lycopersici in Tomato

Dakolé Daboy Charles, Azah Udom René, Martin Fonkoua, Dongmo Lekagne Joseph Blaise, Julienne Nguefack, Irénée Somda

International Journal of Plant & Soil Science

Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) is the most consumed vegetable in the world after potato. In Cameroon, the plant is cultivated in almost all agroecological areas, however, yields remain low due to attacks by various pathogens and insects. Among the pathogens, Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lycopersici (FOL) is a phytopathogenic fungus responsible for Fusarium wilt, a disease responsible for enormous economic losses. To contribute to the control of this microbial pathogen, the stimulatory effect of the tomato defence system of extracts of some plants in the tomato/FOL interaction was evaluated. Tomato plants were treated with the aqueous extracts (AE) of Callistemon citrinus (C. citrinus), Cymbopogon citratus (C. citratus), and Oxalis barrelieri (O. barrelieri ). After 4 days of spraying with the extracts, the plants were inoculated with a virulent strain of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lycopersici (FOL) under controlled conditions. Tomato roots were used to determine the contents of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), phenols and malondialdehyde (MDA). The activities of the main antioxidant enzymes were also evaluated in tomato roots: catalase (CAT), phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL), peroxidase (POX) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). The results showed that treatment of tomato plants with plant extracts and their infection with FOL induced an increase in the contents of H2O2, phenols and MDA in tomato roots; an increase in PAL, POX, SOD activities and a reduction in CAT activity. Our results suggest that the increase and reduction of enzymatic activities, and the increase in the synthesis of some metabolites could mitigate the oxidative damage that takes place during the expansion of the pathogen. Aqueous extracts of C. citrinus, C. citratus and O. barrelieri at 10% (W/V) could be used as natural products to stimulate the tomato defence system against FOL. These results could contribute to the development of natural products to induce tomato resistance against FOL, thus improving productivity, quantity and quality of production.

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2021Journal articleOpen access

The Cultivation of Sweet Pepper (Capsicum Annuum) in Foumbot Agricultural Area, West Region, Cameroon

Onguene Dieudonne, Julienne Nguefack, Dongmo Lekagne Joseph Blaise, Charles Dakolé Daboy, Rene Azah Udom, Ghislaine Ndonkeu Mangoumou

Advanced Journal of Social Science

This study aimed to get information on the cultivation of sweet pepper from the North West Region of Cameroon (Foumbot). Data for the study were obtained from 92 farmers with the aid of well-structured questionnaires. Results obtained showed that among the sweet pepper farmers, males represented 80% of the sampled population and women 12%, all of them aged between 18 to 48 years old. Their level of education varies from primary school to University with the majority found between primary school (48%) and secondary school (30%). 41% of the sampled cultivators have the greatest level of experience in between 10 to 30 years and 52% with the lowest level of experience varying from 1 to 10 years. The sweetest pepper varieties cultivated was Yolo wonder and Simba. 89 % of respondents had a sweet pepper field with a surface area between 0.5 and 1 hectare. According to farmers, the nursery is usually attacked by fungi after one week of growth, which always cause stems rot. Fungicides (Mancostar 80WP) and insecticides (Mocap EC, Timik, Plantineb 80WP, Jumper and Ascot) are the most chemical products used to treat stems rot. Cypermethrin and Mancozeb represent respectively 63% and 85% of active ingredients used by the sampled growers to fight against sweet pepper diseases. 46 % of the sampled farmers said that they prefer spray pesticides in all stages while 44% of sweet pepper farmers did not take note of the number of times, they applied chemicals pesticides on their crops. NPK: 20.10.10 is the most chemical fertilizer used to grow sweet pepper. The major diseases and pests encountered in that region are (1) diseases: Mildew, cercospora leaf spot, phytophthora blight, fusarium wilt, anthracnose, ripe rot, tobacco mosaic virus, cucumber mosaic virus, and gal formations; (2) pests: flee beetles, cutworms, aphids, vegetable weevil, caterpillars, grasshoppers, pepper maggots and leaf miners.

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2021Journal articleOpen access

The Potential of Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) Peels as an Organic Fertilizer

Onguene Dieudonne, Julienne Nguefack, Dongmo Lekagne Joseph Blaise, Charles Dakolé Daboy, Ghislaine Ndonkeu Mangoumou

International Annals of Science

Cassava peels are in large quantity and practically of no economic value in many developing nations such as Cameroon, where cassava is widely consumed and processed far beyond other crops. Cassava peels might be used in those countries to face declining soil fertility and soil erosion. This study aimed to evaluate the composting of cassava peels and the effect of the increasing quantity of cassava peels in the bin during the process of composting and to assess some physico-chemical qualities, biological properties and the phytotoxicity of the produced composts. After three months of composting the produced composts (C1; C2; C3 and C4) had a dark brown color, relatively dry, uniform structure and its texture were similar to the soil's texture. The electrical conductivity of the various composts was in between 1499 and 1924 µS.cm-1. The pH (6.50-6.73), was slightly acid, favorable for the cultivation of sweet pepper. The composts were rich in minerals (Mg2+; Ca2+; K+; and Na+) and poor in heavy metals such as (Cu, Zn and Mn). The composts C/N ratios were between 13.15 to 13.42. The produced composts showed a germination index and the rate of germination higher than 80% at all amounts, indicating the absence of phytotoxicity. The increased amounts of cassava peels did not alter the process of composting and increased the fungal and bacterial populations. In conclusion, cassava peels are good substrates that can be used to produce stable and inclusive organic fertilizers, with high nutrient content, and less hazardous material which could be used in farms to remediate declining soil fertility and to promote sustainable agriculture.

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2020Journal articleOpen access

Organic Treatment effects on Ferritic soil quality and Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) Yield

Ghislaine Ndonkeu Mangoumou, Julienne Nguefack, Joseph Blaise Dongmo Lekagne, Charles Dakolé Daboy, Jean Claude Nguepsi, Paul Fewou Moundipa

International Journal of Environment Agriculture and Biotechnology

The impact of the combination of plant (Tithonia diversifolia) (Td) plus cow dung (Cd) as biofertilizer and aqueous extract of Callistemon citrinus (CAL) leaves as biofungicide on physicochemical properties, and the microbial biomass in carbon (MBC) and nitrogen (MBN) of soil and on tomato yield were assessed under field condition. The experimental design was a complete block design with 2 factors (soil amendment and plant sprays) and 3 repetitions. The soil treatment included organic amendment (OA): Td + Cd at the ratio of 3:4 (w/w)/plant; inorganic amendment (IA): 21:8:8 NPK (26.2g/plant) and potassium sulfate (4g/plant); and control (unamended soil). The field treatments were plants sprayed with: 5% (w/v) CAL; 5% (w/v) Mancozeb (M); and water (W). All amendments except IA did not significantly modify the soil organic matter (˂2.4mg.kg-1) and organic carbon content. An increase of 23.15% and 30.60% of calcium concentration and cation exchangeable capacity (CEC) respectively, was recorded in OA soil compared to the soil before cultivation (SBC) (P˂0.05). Copper and zinc contents in OA soil were reduced respectively by 49% and 48.5% compared to SBC. The highest concentration of MBC was recorded in OA.M plot. The different combine treatments (OA.CAL, IA.M, and OA.M) increased tomato yield by 3.4; 3; and 5.3 fold, respectively compared to their controls. This study provided new information about the organic amendment on soil and plant sprayed with C. citrinus extract as a green alternative to conventional input that might improve soil quality and crop yield.

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2019Journal articleOpen access

Phenolic compounds profile of water and ethanol extracts of Euphorbia hirta L. leaves showing antioxidant and antifungal properties

Pascal Noel Mekam, Serena Martini, Julienne Nguefack, Davide Tagliazucchi, Emilio Stefani

South African Journal of Botany

The bioactive chemical constituents of water and ethanol extracts of Euphorbia hirta L. leaves have been identified and quantified using an un-targeted mass spectrometric approach. The study allowed the tentative identification of 123 individual phenolic compounds and 18 non-phenolic phytochemicals, most of them described in Euphorbia hirta L. leaves for the first time. Gallotannins, hydroxybenzoic and hydroxycinnamic acids were the most abundant phenolic classes in Euphorbia hirta L. leaves, representing together the 71.5% (26.3%, 25.2% and 20%, respectively) of the total amount of identified phenolics. The main phenolic compounds detected were tri-O-galloyl-glucose isomers, feruloyl-coniferin, tetra-O-galloyl-glucose isomers, di-O-galloyl-glucose isomers, ethyl-gallic acid, protocatechuic acid-O-pentoside-O-hexoside, 5-O-caffeoyl-quinic acid trans isomer and digalloyl-quinic acid. Feruloyl-coniferin was found to be approximately six times more concentrated in the ethanol extract with respect to the water extract. The ethanol extract exhibited higher ABTS (1338.3 ± 85.3 and 802.3 ± 91.0 μmol ascorbic acid equivalent/gram of dry extract, respectively) and superoxide anion (2014.6 ± 78.6 and 1528.0 ± 111.7 μmol ascorbic acid equivalent/gram of dry extract, respectively) scavenging abilities than the water extract. Additionally, the ethanol extract also showed a remarkable anti-fungal effect against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. vasinfectum, Alternaria solani and Rhizoctonia solani. This study provides new information about Euphorbia hirta L., offering reasons to promote this plant species as rich source of phenolics and an excellent source of antifungal molecules that might have a prospective use in controlling fungal diseases of vegetable crops.

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Julienne NGUEFACK

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