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Fusarium wilt can cause severe losses in many vegetables and flowers, field crops and plantation crops. The main method for controlling Fusarium wilt is through chemical methods which have the disadvantage of polluting the environment and are expensive. Thus, there is a need for more environmentally friendly and cheaper techniques for controlling Fusarium Wilt. This study screened the phytochemical compounds of two plant extracts; Tithonia diversifolia and Kigelia africana and assessed their potency in controlling plant fungal pathogen F. oxysporum, which causes fusarium wilt in tomatoes. The phytochemical analysis revealed that the two plant extracts contained saponins, tannins, terpenoids, flavonoids, glycosides and phenolics except alkaloids and steroids which were only found in T. diversifolia. The mean inhibitory zones ranged from 7.93 to 10.44 mm for T. diversifolia at 25 to 100 g/l. The mean inhibitory zones for K. Africana ranged from 12.07 to 15.56 mm at 25 to 100 g/l. K. Africana extracts had the highest inhibitory (antimicrobial) activity. Combining both extracts was more effective compared to the single extract. The effect of the combined plant extract and positive control was statistically significant (p < 0.05). This study provides scientific evidence that K. africana and T. diversifolia extract possess antifungal activity and can be used as a broad-spectrum in managing microbial diseases. Key words: Plant extracts, phytochemical screening, antimicrobial and antifungal properties, Fusarium oxysporum.

Phosphorus deficiency majorly constrains maize (Zea mays L.) production in acidic soils of western Kenya. This requires high doses of expensive inorganic P fertilizers to correct. Recommended rock phosphates and manures are lowly adopted because of low solubility and P content respectively. A Randomized Complete Block Design experiment was conducted for two seasons to assess effect of a cheaper alternative P source, Phosphorus fortified Tithonia compost (PCM), on growth and yield of maize and lablab-intercropped maize on two sites with different soil fertility. The experiment was set up on seven farms per site in Kapkerer (low fertility) and Koibem (higher fertility). Three P source treatments of Minjingu rock phosphate (MRP), Phosphorus fortified Tithonia compost and Triple Super Phosphate (TSP) were applied at an equivalent rate of 26 kg P/ha for maize and maize-lablab intercrop. Data on plant height, Leaf Area Index (LAI), aboveground biomass, leaf P concentration and grain yield were collected. PCM treatment significantly (p≤0.05) increased maize height, LAI, aboveground biomass and grain yield compared to TSP in Kapkerer. No significant differences were noted in leaf P concentrations. PCM is a good alternative to expensive inorganic P fertilizers in acidic soils of western Kenya. Key words: Tithonia P-fortified compost, Rock phosphate, intercropping, lablab.

Plantain prices in sub-Saharan markets are very high due to the fact that the supply does not cover the large demand. The main constraint of plantain cultivation is the seedlings unavailability in quantity and quality, which is essential to boost the creation of new plantations. The PIF technique could solve this problem if its substrate of production is amended with natural products for quality enhancement. This study aims to assess clam shells and Tithonia diversifolia effects on the growth of PIF plantain seedlings and their sensitivity to Mycosphaerella fijiensis. Plantain PIF seedlings were grown in an amended substrate. The treatment influences the seedlings germination rate, number of shoots, height, diameter, area of leaves and favours a less sensitivity to M. fijiensis compared to the controls. The presence of clam shells and T. diversifolia in the treatment especially enhanced the (1) vegetative growth and (2) less sensitivity as well as accumulation of proteins and polyphenols respectively. This combination shows a synergic action with dual role both as a biofertilizer and as a biopesticide. This work valorises the use of by-fishing products and bad herbs that are environmentally benign and affordable to poor smallholders’ farmers, leading to a sustainable and responsible agriculture, as well as poor peasants’ empowerment. Key words: Plantain (Musa spp.), PIF seedlings, Tithonia diversifolia, clam shells, biofertilizer, biopesticide, Mycosphaerella fijiensis.

In Cameroon, common bean is produced and highly consumed as a source of protein and means of generating income by small farm holders. However, diseases like angular leaf spot caused by Phaeoisariopsis griseola (Sacc), poor agronomic practices and low soil fertility are negatively impacting the production of the crop. A field experiment was conducted under natural conditions in the University of Dschang during the 2017 main cropping season. The experiment was laid out in a RCBD in a split-split plot arrangement with three replications: Fungicide application (sprayed and unsprayed); Fertilizer level: F1 (Control), F2 (10 t/ha Tithonia), F3 (3.5 t/ha poultry manure) and F4 (0.4 t/ha 14.24.14 NPK fertilizer). Bean varieties that occupied each experimental unit were V1 (GLP-190 S), V2 (PH201) and V3 (PNG). There was a significant difference (P

The depletion of fertility in tropical soils of sub Saharan Africa (SSA) is mainly due to continuous cropping without proper nutrient replenishment. This study was intended to find ways of restoring soil fertility towards sustainable maize production in previously sugarcane cropped fields in Butere-Kakamega County. Field experiments were conducted in Butere and Bukura sites located in Kakamega County in the long rains of 2014. The field experiments consisted of twelve treatments with one control. The treatments included Tithonia diversifolia (a green manure), Di ammonium phosphate (DAP) filter mud, and bagasse (both sugarcane processing by products), each to supply 39 kg P ha-1 and eight other treatments consisting of a combination of either two of the above materials to supply either 26 or 39 kg P ha-1 treated either with or without lime using a split plot arrangement in a randomized complete block design (RCBD). Lime was allocated in the main plot and the treatments as the sub plots. The experiment was replicated three times in each site. Application of lime, with the consequent use of either filter mud or Tithonia in combination with DAP was quite significant in raising maize grain yield as compared to the control. The best treatment was the one consisting of lime (3 tons ha-1) with a combination of filter mud + DAP (to supply 39 kg P ha-1) which yielded 5.14 and 5.23 tons ha -1 in Bukura and Butere sites, respectively. This could be attributed to high levels of organic matter and suitable pH of 6.0 in filter mud that improved the physical and chemical properties of the soil. Farmers are thus advised to consider applying filter mud together with appropriate mineral fertilizers as filter mud can be supplied freely from sugar factories. Key words: Soil fertility, bagasse, filter mud, lime, Tithonia.

Okra contributes an important part of the diet to many people in the tropics, more especially in Cameroon. But its production is seriously affected by poor soil fertility. In other to mitigate this problem, a field experiment was conducted from April to august 2016 at Institute of Agricultural Research for Development (IRAD) Nkolbisson-Yaounde with the main objective to evaluate the effects of different soil amendments on the performance of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) crop. The experiment was laid out using a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications and eleven treatments: (Tithonia leaves (6700 kg/ha), piggery manure (6700 kg/ha), foliar fertilizer (0.6 kg/ha), urea (200 kg/ha), NPK20-10-10 (200 kg/ha), Tithonia leaves (3350 kg/unit) + NPK20-10-10 (100 kg/unit), Tithonia leaves (3350 kg/unit) + Urea (100 kg/ha), urea (100 kg/ha) + NPK 20-10-10(100 kg/ha), Tithonia leaves (100kg/ha) + foliar fertilizer (0.3 L/ha), Tithonia leaves (3350 kg/ha) + piggery manure (3350 kg/ha) and control (0 kg/ha). The Results showed that the growth and yield of okra were significantly (P

A study was conducted to evaluate the effects of supplementation of a leaf based concentrate consisting of a 1:1 leaf mixture of Vernonia amygdalina and Tithonia diversifolia (VATD) as a direct replacement for brewers dried grains (BDG) on feed intake, growth performance and digestibility by West African Dwarf (WAD) goats on a basal diet of Panicum maximum hay. Twenty five growing WAD goats weighing between 8.07 - 9.60 kg were allotted into five dietary treatment groups in a completely randomized design with five goats per treatment. The mixed leaf meal (VATD) were included in the diets at 0% (T1), 5% (T2), 10% (T3), 15% (T5), and 20% (T5) of the total diet. The experiment lasted for twelve weeks. Results showed that dry matter (DM) intake (g/kg W0.75/day) was lowest (P

The experiment assessed the proximate and amino acid compositions, metabolizable energy and anti-nutrient constituents of Tithonia diversifolia leaf meal (TDLM) harvested separately in the months of May and September, respectively using standard laboratory methods. The crude protein (20.5±0.1%), crude fibre (18.8±0.01%) and ash (14±0.1%) significantly (pE‚0.05) increased in TDLM for September cutting than that of May (18.05±0.1%, 11.17±0.3% and 13.01±0.1%, respectively). All the anti-nutrient factors (ANFs), namely, oxalate, phenols, phytin, phytin P, saponins and tannins except alkaloids and flavonoids were significantly (pE‚0.05) affected by the cutting time of the plant leaf. The ANFs contents in May cutting were oxalate (1.88±0.1 mg/100 g), phenols (0.31±0.01 mg/100 g), phytin (77.3±0.1 mg/100 g), phytin P (21.8±0.1 mg/100 g), saponins (21.8±0.1 mg/100 g) and tannins (0.5±0.01 mg/100 g). The metabolisable energy (ME) for May cutting of TDLM was 2908.27 kcal/kg while that of September was 2565.18 kcal/kg. Glutamic acid had the highest value of 10.94±0.02 mg crude protein among the determined amino acids in TDLM whereas cystine was the lowest (0.94±0.01 mg crude protein for both May and September cuttings. TDLM is limiting in methionine with a chemical score of 30 in both cuttings. Proximate composition of TDLM was higher for September cutting than May and could be used as vegetable protein source. Key words: Tithonia diversifolia leaf, proximate composition, amino acid profile, anti-nutrients, May cutting, September cutting.

A field trial aimed at assessing the performance of maize and beans under intercropped systems was conducted in 2013 under three experimental components of maize, beans and maize-bean intercrop in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Each component was subjected to treatments that included: a control-without fertilizer (WF), mineral fertilizer (MF) at 150 kg/ha of 17:17:17, Tithonia biomass (TDB) at 8 tons/ha and integrated application of MF and TDB comprising 4 tons/ha Tithonia and 100 kg/ha mineral fertilizer (MF/TDB). The MF/TDB produced 21.7% higher green maize yields than control, while MF and TDB produced 8.96 and 7.52% higher yields, respectively than the control. The land equivalent ratios (LER) were higher than one in all the intercropping plots, thus indicating an optimum exploitation of the environmental resources. Control plots showed the highest yield advantage in terms of LER of 1.70. When maize yield was converted to bean equivalent yield (BEY), the intercropping BEY was higher than the BEY in the sole for all fertilizer types, thereby revealing an agronomic advantage. The actual yield loss (AYL) values for maize indicated a yield gain of between 11.2 and 15.05% when MF and MFTDB were used in the intercropping compared to the sole cropping. Beans recorded yield loss in all the fertilizer types except in TDB which had a yield gain of 20.45%. The economic performance of the intercropping systems, affirmed that the most advantageous fertilizer type for maize was MF/TDB with an IA of 6.566. The monetary advantage index (MAI) indicated a definite yield and economic advantage in maize-bean intercrop over their sole cropping, with integrated use of MF/TDB as nutrient sources being the most economical and advantageous fertilizer regime. Key words: Economic efficiency, land equivalent ratio (LER), green maize, beans, intercropping advantage, monetary advantage index (MAI), Tithonia diversifolia.