Papers by Festus Massaquoi
International Journal of Insect Science, 2014
The efficacy of spinosad against the diamondback moth (DBM) on cabbage was studied at Botswana Co... more The efficacy of spinosad against the diamondback moth (DBM) on cabbage was studied at Botswana College of Agriculture, Gaborone, Botswana in 2011. Using five concentrations of spinosad: 0.12, 0.36, 0.60, 0.84 and 1.08 g/L, bioassays were conducted against DBM eggs and second instar larvae at 30°C ± 5°C. Each treatment was replicated three times. Probit analysis was used to determine LD50 and LD90 values for the treatments against eggs and larvae. When the treatments were assessed at 72 and 96 hours, LD90 values against larvae were 0.74 and 0.59 g/L, whereas they were 0.35 and 0.32 g/L against eggs. This indicated that spinosad was more effective against eggs than against larvae. The slopes of the probit lines for larvae assessed at 48, 72 and 96 hours after application were 3.519, 3.810 and 3.427, while those against eggs were 1.725, 1.316 and 1.086. This indicates that there was a more rapid change in larval mortality with increase in pesticide dosage than in egg mortality. The stu...
Cassava is the most important root and tuber crop in Sierra Leone. Its low yield can be attribute... more Cassava is the most important root and tuber crop in Sierra Leone. Its low yield can be attributed to several production-limiting factors including cassava mosaic disease (CMD). This study examined in a much wider scope the diversity, prevalence, distribution, incidence and level of severity of the CMD within the cassava farming communities across major agro ecologies in Sierra Leone. A survey was conducted October, 2010. Field assessment was also conducted on farms evaluated. Data was collected on the spot and complimented with group discussions and interviews. Field coordinates were determined using a global positioning system (GPS) recorder. This study showed a countrywide prevalence of 85.2% out of 156 sites visited using GPS mapping. The rain forest ecology had the highest prevalence of 97.2% while the coastal plain had the lowest disease prevalence. Incidence of CMD per district was generally high. Tonkolili district recorded the highest incidence of 99.2% followed by Kailahum and Pujehun. Bonthe district had the lowest severity score, while pujehun district had the highest severity score. Difference in CMD infection was also observed in terms of agro-ecology. Test using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detected African cassava mosaic virus (ACMV) and also for the first time the East African cassava mosaic virus (EACMV) in two locations in the Moyamba district, southern Sierra Leone. The result from this study indicates the need for an increased adoption of CMD resistant cassava genotypes that are high yielding, has good cooking quality and with the ability to replace the local choice variety without significantly altering the cultural and aesthetic quality of the generally accepted local cultivar.
Cassava is the most important root and tuber crop in Sierra Leone. Its low yield can be attribute... more Cassava is the most important root and tuber crop in Sierra Leone. Its low yield can be attributed to several production-limiting factors including cassava mosaic disease (CMD). This study examined in a much wider scope the diversity, prevalence, distribution, incidence and level of severity of the CMD within the cassava farming communities across major agro ecologies in Sierra Leone. A survey was conducted October, 2010. Field assessment was also conducted on farms evaluated. Data was collected on the spot and complimented with group discussions and interviews. Field coordinates were determined using a global positioning system (GPS) recorder. This study showed a countrywide prevalence of 85.2% out of 156 sites visited using GPS mapping. The rain forest ecology had the highest prevalence of 97.2% while the coastal plain had the lowest disease prevalence. Incidence of CMD per district was generally high. Tonkolili district recorded the highest incidence of 99.2% followed by Kailahum and Pujehun. Bonthe district had the lowest severity score, while pujehun district had the highest severity score. Difference in CMD infection was also observed in terms of agro-ecology. Test using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detected African cassava mosaic virus (ACMV) and also for the first time the East African cassava mosaic virus (EACMV) in two locations in the Moyamba district, southern Sierra Leone. The result from this study indicates the need for an increased adoption of CMD resistant cassava genotypes that are high yielding, has good cooking quality and with the ability to replace the local choice variety without significantly altering the cultural and aesthetic quality of the generally accepted local cultivar.
Asian Journal of Agricultural Extension, Economics and Sociology, 2018
This study assess the performance and efficiencies of existing (4) gari production systems (profi... more This study assess the performance and efficiencies of existing (4) gari production systems (profitability and marketing margins as well as the strengths, weakness, opportunities and constraints) in Sierra Leone. The Policy Analysis Matrix (PAM) was used for the analysis. Multistage random sampling was used to select study samples. Information was collected using a structured questionnaire from a total of 108 gari processors in 24 chiefdoms. Data collected included cost return and socioeconomic variables. The PAM was based on 50 Kg of fresh cassava storage roots and Leone (SSL) as money to evaluate costs and revenues. The analysis indicates that only three (3) cassava gari production systems (2, 3 & 4) present a Domestic Resource Cost Ratio of less than 1 (DRC < 1) and Cost-Benefit Ratio (CBR) also less than 1 (CBR within 0.64 to 0.96). Cassava gari Original Research Article Nabay et al.; AJAEES, 26(3): 1-10, 2018; Article no.AJAEES.42393 2 production activity which uses systems 2...
African journal of agricultural research
This study was conducted to determine the effects of seed treatments using Neem leaf powder, pepp... more This study was conducted to determine the effects of seed treatments using Neem leaf powder, pepper fruit powder, camphor, groundnut oil and wood ash in combination with five different packaging materials (cloth bag, paper bag, glass bottle, polythene bags and plastic container) on the viability and germination vigor of cowpea seeds. The experiment was laid out in a completely randomized block design in a 5 by 6 factorial with three replications. 1 kg of dried cowpea seeds with a uniform moisture content of 11% were stored for 6 months in different packaging materials in combination with six different seed treatments: No treatment (control), Camphor (Chemical treatment) -4 g/kg of seeds, Neem (Azadirachta indica L.) leaf powder (Botanical) -10 g/kg of seeds, Groundnut Oil / Palm oil - 5 ml/kg seeds, Powdered Dry pepper (Capsicum spp) -10 g/kg of seeds and wood ash 1 kg/kg of seeds. Indoor temperatures were between 25.3 and 30.7°C, outdoor temperatures between 26.1 and 31.1°C and rel...
International Journal of Agriculture and Forestry, Dec 1, 2012
Reports of damage by grasshopper Zonocerus variegatus (L.) to cassava and other crops has increas... more Reports of damage by grasshopper Zonocerus variegatus (L.) to cassava and other crops has increased in recent years. The attack on cassava is particularly threatening to the livelihood of many poor subsistence farmers in Sierra Leone. As such, an evaluation was conducted to investigate the use of host plant resistance as an alternative method of managing grasshopper rather than the sole reliance on chemicals. The experiment was laid out in a randomized co mplete block design with three rep lications. Two b locks were used (protected and unprotected) with twenty cassava varieties
International Journal of Agriculture and Forestry, 2012
Reports of damage by grasshopper Zonocerus variegatus (L.) to cassava and other crops has increas... more Reports of damage by grasshopper Zonocerus variegatus (L.) to cassava and other crops has increased in recent years. The attack on cassava is particularly threatening to the livelihood of many poor subsistence farmers in Sierra Leone. As such, an evaluation was conducted to investigate the use of host plant resistance as an alternative method of managing grasshopper rather than the sole reliance on chemicals. The experiment was laid out in a randomized co mplete block design with three rep lications. Two b locks were used (protected and unprotected) with twenty cassava varieties
Cassava is the most important root and tuber crop in Sierra Leone. Its low yield can be attribute... more Cassava is the most important root and tuber crop in Sierra Leone. Its low yield can be attributed to several production-limiting factors including cassava mosaic disease (CMD). This study examined in a much wider scope the diversity, prevalence, distribution, incidence and level of severity of the CMD within the cassava farming communities across major agro ecologies in Sierra Leone. A survey was conducted October, 2010. Field assessment was also conducted on farms evaluated. Data was collected on the spot and complimented with group discussions and interviews. Field coordinates were determined using a global positioning system (GPS) recorder. This study showed a countrywide prevalence of 85.2% out of 156 sites visited using GPS mapping. The rain forest ecology had the highest prevalence of 97.2% while the coastal plain had the lowest disease prevalence. Incidence of CMD per district was generally high. Tonkolili district recorded the highest incidence of 99.2% followed by Kailahum and Pujehun. Bonthe district had the lowest severity score, while pujehun district had the highest severity score. Difference in CMD infection was also observed in terms of agro-ecology. Test using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detected African cassava mosaic virus (ACMV) and also for the first time the East African cassava mosaic virus (EACMV) in two locations in the Moyamba district, southern Sierra Leone. The result from this study indicates the need for an increased adoption of CMD resistant cassava genotypes that are high yielding, has good cooking quality and with the ability to replace the local choice variety without significantly altering the cultural and aesthetic quality of the generally accepted local cultivar.
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Papers by Festus Massaquoi