Research Article
Farmer Management Practices and Cabbage Fungal Pathogens in Santa, Cameroon: Assessment of Local Cultivation Habits and Disease Characterization
Issue:
Volume 14, Issue 4, December 2026
Pages:
72-83
Received:
9 September 2026
Accepted:
4 October 2026
Published:
29 October 2026
Abstract: Cabbage plays a crucial role in the livelihoods of small-scale farmers in Cameroon, contributing to both food security and household income. Nonetheless, its cultivation in the Santa area faces major setbacks due to fungal diseases that lead to substantial reductions in yield. To try to address these burdens, a comprehensive study was conducted involving a survey of 78 farmers to assess their socio-demographic characteristics and agricultural management practices. Concurrently, 160 symptomatic cabbage samples were collected from 10 different farms for diagnosis. Fungal pathogens were isolated from these samples and identified through morphological analysis, pathogenicity tests, and molecular sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region. The survey indicated widespread use of chemical fungicides such as Balear and Pencozeb, yet highlighted a notable absence of proper protective gear among growers. A total of 96 fungal isolates were obtained, with 11 showing strong pathogenicity. Molecular results identified Fusarium species, primarily Fusarium oxysporum as the most common causal agents. Other harmful fungi detected included Curvularia coatesiae, Colletotrichum kahawae, and Epicoccum nigrum. Disease incidence was found to be especially severe during the dry season. These results underscore the necessity for integrated disease control approaches, enhanced training for farmers on safe pesticide application, and ongoing monitoring of pathogens to support sustainable cabbage production in the region.
Abstract: Cabbage plays a crucial role in the livelihoods of small-scale farmers in Cameroon, contributing to both food security and household income. Nonetheless, its cultivation in the Santa area faces major setbacks due to fungal diseases that lead to substantial reductions in yield. To try to address these burdens, a comprehensive study was conducted inv...
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Review Article
Micropropagation and Genetic Fidelity in Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.): Current Status and Future Directions
Issue:
Volume 14, Issue 4, December 2026
Pages:
84-93
Received:
3 August 2026
Accepted:
22 August 2026
Published:
6 November 2026
DOI:
10.11648/j.plant.20261404.12
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Abstract: Morden strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) is an economically important octoploid fruit crop, prized for its nutritional value, commercial returns and antioxidant-rich fruit. Its conventional propagation through runners, however, is limited by a low multiplication rate and a high risk of systemic pathogen transmission, creating a clear need for alternative methods capable of producing uniform, disease-free planting material at scale. In vitro micropropagation has become the technique of choice for rapid clonal multiplication, though prolonged culture duration and callus-mediated regeneration can induce somaclonal variation and compromise clonal fidelity. This review critically examines recent progress in explant selection, surface sterilization protocols, culture media optimization, plant growth regulator combinations, direct versus indirect regeneration pathways, rooting strategies and acclimatization techniques for strawberry micropropagation, with particular attention to the assessment of genetic stability through molecular markers such as RAPD, ISSR, SSR and EST-SSR. Evidence drawn from multiple studies shows that direct organogenesis from nodal or shoot-tip explants, combined with optimized cytokinin concentrations, substantially reduces the risk of genetic instability relative to indirect, callus-based regeneration. Molecular marker analyses have repeatedly confirmed high genetic uniformity among micropropagated plantlets raised under controlled, standardized protocols. Despite this progress, challenges remain in standardizing protocols across cultivars, achieving cost-effective scale-up and detecting the subtle epigenetic or somaclonal changes that conventional markers can miss. Future work should focus on integrating high-throughput and epigenetic screening tools, automating micropropagation systems and developing cultivar-specific protocols to further improve efficiency and reliability. Taken together, pairing optimized micropropagation systems with robust molecular validation offers a sustainable pathway for commercial nursery production, germplasm conservation and genetic improvement programs in strawberry.
Abstract: Morden strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) is an economically important octoploid fruit crop, prized for its nutritional value, commercial returns and antioxidant-rich fruit. Its conventional propagation through runners, however, is limited by a low multiplication rate and a high risk of systemic pathogen transmission, creating a clear need for ...
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Tchameni Nguemezi Severin
