Annual Research & Review in Biology

Effect of Sowing Date on the Agronomic Performance of 14 Accessions of Senna obtusifolia (L.) Irwin and Barneby from Burkina Faso

Haoua Nacambo — 2026-05-13

Background and Aims: Long considered in Burkina Faso as a ruderal plant or a crop weed, Senna obtusifolia also known as casse fétide in French or Katr-nanguri in the Mooré language is now recognized for its food, medicinal, and economic potential. It is used in both human and animal diets and serves as a source of income for rural communities. The present study aimed to determine the effect of sowing date on the agronomic performance of 14 accessions of Senna obtusifolia.

Study Design: The trials were conducted using a randomized complete block design (RCBD), with three replicates.

Place and Duration of Study: The present study, was conducted at the Tenkodogo University Center, between July and November 2025.

Methodology: we sowed 14 accessions of Senna obtusifolia on July 12 and August 12, 2025, on sandy-clay soil low in organic matter. The replications were separated by a distance of 2.3m. Days to emergence (DE), days to flowering (DF), plant height at maturity (PHM), stem diameter (SD), leaf length (LL), Fresh leaf biomass (FLB), fruit length (FrL), fruit width (FrW), number of fruits per plant (NFrP), number of seeds per fruit (NGFr), number of seeds per plant (NSP) were measured and analyzed.

Results: July sowings outperformed those in August, with an 80% increase in the number of fruits per plant (NFrP), along with higher flowering and fruit-filling rates. Hierarchical cluster analysis grouped the accessions into three clusters, with Cluster 2 containing accession G-E2, which exhibited superior agronomic performance. This accession is characterized by high leaf biomass and a strong capacity for fruit and seed production. Its consistent performance suggests marked phenotypic plasticity and good adaptation to environmental variations, particularly those related to sowing date.

Conclusion: These results confirm that accession performance varies with sowing date, a variability that can be exploited in plant breeding. Early sowing is recommended to optimize leaf and seed production, likely due to more favorable rainfall conditions during the early growth stages.

Growth and Biomass Yield of Lettuce (Lactuca sativa var. Eden) in Aquaponic and Conventional Substrates

Soumahoro Brahima André — 2026-05-16

Background: Lettuce production is essential for food security and urban nutrition in Côte d’Ivoire, but faces challenges related to land scarcity and intensive chemical use. Aquaponics offers a sustainable alternative by combining fish farming and soilless cultivation to enhance productivity with lower environmental impact.

Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the growth performance and biomass yield of lettuce (Lactuca sativa var. Eden) cultivated in an aquaponic system compared with coconut fiber enriched with poultry manure and untreated soil as alternative cultivation substrates.

Study Design: A comparative experimental design involving three cultivation systems was used.

Place and Duration of Study: The experiment was conducted at the experimental facilities of the École Normale Supérieure (ENS), Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, over a five-week cultivation period after transplanting.

Methodology: Lettuce seedlings were transplanted into three cultivation substrates: an aquaponic system connected to Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) tanks, coconut fiber enriched with poultry manure, and untreated soil. Growth parameters (plant height, number of leaves, and leaf area) were recorded weekly for four weeks. Fresh and dry biomass yield were measured at harvest. A total of 96 plants per cultivation system were monitored, with biomass assessed on a random sample of 16 plants per treatment. Statistical analyses were performed using the Kruskal-Wallis test followed by Tukey’s test at a 5% significance level.

Results: Significant differences were observed among cultivation systems (p < 0.05). Plants grown in the aquaponic system showed the highest growth performance. Mean fresh biomass yield reached 166.79 g per plant compared with 74.62 g and 38.83 g in coconut fiber enriched with poultry manure and untreated soil, respectively. Dry biomass followed the same trend (11.27 g, 6.25 g, and 1.91 g).

Conclusion: Aquaponics represents a sustainable technique for lettuce production in urban agriculture systems with limited resources.

Association between Toxoplasma gondii Infection, Depression and Infertility among Women Attending Obstetric Health Centres in Bamenda, Cameroon

Fotso Nick Kouokam — 2026-05-25

Background and Aims: Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii), with a neurotropic nature represents a potential causative agent for psychiatric and behavioural disorders, which can lead to infertility. The aim of this study was to analyse the effect of T. gondii infection on depression in infertile women.

Study Design: This study was a case-control hospital-based study.

Place and Duration of Study: A total of 200 women (100 fertile and 100 infertile women) were recruited at People’s Clinic, Upstation polyclinic, Abi Polyclinic and PMI district hospital in Bamenda between May 2024 and May 2025.

Methodology: Blood sample were collected from all participants and were tested for T. gondii antibodies (IgG and IgM) and cortisol levels by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Beck questionnaires were used to evaluate depression. SPSS version 22 was used to analyse the data.

Results: There was a significant gap in mental health, with 52% of infertile women diagnosed with depression compared to 22% of fertile women (p = 0.00). A significant overall association between T. gondii infection and the stages of depression was also observed (p= 0.000) with the highest prevalence of 100% for “Severe” depression. Furthermore, a significant association was found between T. gondii infection and elevated cortisol levels (p = 0.02), where infected women were significantly less likely to maintain a normal hormonal balance compared to the high cortisol group. Chronic IgG cases showed the highest mean cortisol levels (267.12±241,40).

Conclusion: This study reveals a significant association between latent T. gondii infection, depression, and infertility in women. The parasite may act as a chronic biological stressor that triggers the HPA axis, resulting in elevated cortisol levels.

Electroantennogram and Behavioural Response of Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens) to the Volatile Compounds of Brassica

Joni Kumar — 2026-05-25

Thirty volatile compounds were identified in the extracts of Brassica species (Brassica napus, B. nigra, B. rapa, B. juncea and B. carinata). Quantitative and qualitative differences were found among the volatiles extracted from uninfested plant, aphid infested plant and prey. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of extracted volatile compounds on the electroantennogram (EAG) and behavioral responses of the predator Chrysoperla carnea. Twenty four hosts related synthetic compounds belonging different groups (hydrocarbons, organic volatile compounds) were also tested for same effect against both insects. In EAG studies, both male and female of Chrysoperla carnea was found more sensitive to volatiles of aphid infested plant than uninfested plant and prey. The same treatments were also compared for their attractiveness in multi-arm olfactometer. Among the treatments tested, volatiles aphid infested plant attracted maximum number of predators. The per cent attraction responses of C. Carnea to the volatiles compounds of host plant and aphids were significantly higher over control (Fisher’s LSD, p < 0.05). The implication of these findings was discussed in contest of their ecological and biological significance.

Agro-Physiological Performance and Yield Evaluation of Maize Hybrid Genotypes under Rain-Fed Sudano-Sahelian Conditions in Burkina Faso

Rodrigue Arnaud Zongo — 2026-05-26

Maize (Zea mays L.) is crucial to food security in Burkina Faso. However, productivity remains constrained by low yields in some varieties. This study aimed to evaluate the agro-physiological performance of eight hybrid genotypes under rain-fed Sudano-Sahelian conditions. Eight (8) maize genotypes (E8, E19, E30, E32, E42, E45, E18 and E28) were evaluated using a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replicates. Significant variability was observed among genotypes for the number of leaves (P = 0.050), grain yield (P = 0.035) and biomass (P = 0.049). Genotypes E8, E30, E45 and E28 exhibited the highest grain yields. Genotype E32 showed the highest biomass production (4.44 ± 1.04 t/ha), indicating strong forage potential. Hierarchical ascending classification identified three distinct classes of hybrid genotypes. Analysis of variance shows that these classes differ significantly in certain traits, notably stem diameter at the collar, plant height and number of leaves. Class 2 genotypes (E8, E19, E30) showed the best performance, followed by class 3 (E32, E45, E18 and E28), whereas class 1 (E42) exhibited the lowest performance. These results highlight promising genotypes that could improve maize productivity under Sudano-Sahelian conditions. However, yields remain relatively low, indicating the need for breeding efforts. These results also provide useful insights for breeding programs and the selection of climate-resilient maize hybrids for Sudano-Sahelian environments.

Study of Genetic Variability and Yield Component Associations in Indian Mustard (Brassica juncea L.)

Saundar Lal — 2026-05-28

Understanding genetic diversity within rapeseed–mustard is crucial for strengthening breeding programs aimed at improving yield, stress tolerance, and seed quality. The present investigation was conducted to assess genetic variability and inter-relationships among yield and its component traits in Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.). The experiment was conducted during the rabi season of 2023–24 at the research farm of J.V. College, Baraut, Baghpat (U.P.), which has clay-loam soil, annual rainfall ranging from 750 to 1190 mm, and temperature variation between 15°C and 30°C. Thirty mustard genotypes were evaluated in a randomised block design with appropriate replications. Observations were recorded on five randomly selected plants perreplication for twelve agro-morphological traits, including flowering and maturity duration, plant height, branching pattern, siliqua traits, seed attributes, biological yield, seed yield, and harvest index. Analysis of variance revealed significant differences among genotypes for most of the traits, indicating the presence of substantial genetic variability. Genotypic and phenotypic coefficients of variation, heritability, genetic advance, correlation, and genetic divergence were estimated using standard statistical procedures. Higher estimates of variability, heritability, and genetic advance were observed for yield and its related traits, suggesting good scope for selection. Correlation and divergence analyses identified important yield-contributing characters, which can be effectively utilised in mustard breeding programs aimed at yield improvement. Overall, the study highlights that traits such as seed yield, biological yield, number of branches, and flowering time can be effectively improved through selection. The identified superior genotypes can be strategically utilised as parents in breeding programmes to develop high-yielding, early-maturing, and agronomically desirable mustard varieties.

Biofloc Technology in Penaeus vannamei Culture: A Review with Emphasis on Physicochemical Water Quality Dynamics

T. Venkata Ramana — 2026-05-09

Background: Biofloc technology (BFT) is an innovative and sustainable approach in intensive aquaculture that enhances nutrient recycling, improves physicochemical water quality, and minimizes environmental impacts. It promotes the growth of probiotics (beneficial microbial communities) that convert accumulate nutrients into biofloc, serving as a natural supplementary feed for culture species. This technology is widely adopted in the culture of Penaeus vannamei due to its suitability for high-density farming, reduced water exchange, and improved good biosecurity. However, the effectiveness of BFT largely depends on the proper management of physicochemical water quality constraints and good microbial dynamics.

Objectives: This review aims to synthesize current knowledge on the application of Biofloc Technology in Penaeus vannamei culture, with a specific focus on physicochemical water quality constraints and their influence on system performance.

Methods: The study integrates evidence from classical, moderate, and recent research findings along with observed datasets. Key physicochemical parameters such as pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), total alkalinity, total hardness, ammonia, nitrite, salinity, and temperature are critically analyzed in relation to beneficial microbial processes and shrimp growth performance.

Results: The analysis indicates that maintaining optimal physicochemical conditions is essential for efficient biofloc formation and functionality. Interactions among water quality parameters significantly influence microbial community dynamics, nutrient assimilation, nitrogen cycling, and overall system stability and productivity.

Conclusion: Biofloc technology is a sustainable and efficient approach for shrimp aquaculture, especially in low-salinity systems. However, its success largely depends on careful monitoring and management of water quality parameters to ensure optimal system performance.

Recent Studies on Occurrence, Biosynthesis, Synthesis and Application of 2-Deoxy-Sugars: A Review

Jonatas Tavares da Silva — 2026-05-11

Deoxy sugars, which have been found ubiquitously in plants, fungi, and bacteria, are an important class of carbohydrates. The widespread occurrence of deoxy sugars in different organisms suggests diverse biological functions. Numerous reports have shown that they indeed exhibit various vital and potent biological activities. In deoxy sugars, one or more hydroxyl groups of the pyranose or furanose ring are substituted by hydrogen. A well-known example is 2-deoxyribose (2-deoxy-β-D-erythro-pentofuranose), which is a component of deoxyribonucleotides, the repeating units of deoxyribonucleic acids (DNA). On the other hand, 2-Deoxy sugars are present in numerous biologically active natural products such as compactin, olivimycin, mithramycin, daunomycin, calicheamicin, etc. Deoxy sugars may be synthesized by reductive methods, using as starting materials epoxides, thio sugars, glycals, halogenated glycals, carboxylate esters, sulfonates, or even by direct reduction of hydroxyl groups. The lack of substituents at the C2 position, which serve as directing groups, renders the synthesis of 2-deoxy sugar challenging, as it often results in the nonselective formation of anomeric mixtures. Also, sugars lacking the C2 oxygenation are less stable towards the acid-catalysed hydrolysis compared to their 2-hydoxylated analogues. Therefore, this review paper presents some topics about the occurrence, biosynthesis, preparation, and applications of 2-deoxy sugars.