Antifungal activity of Piper guineense of Cameroon

The antifungal activity of the ethanol extract of the seeds of Piper guineense and some of its fractions obtained by column chromatography was investigated using filamentous fungi and yeasts. The results indicated a significant antifungal effect. No toxic effect was observed in mice treated per os with the extract.     

Cocoa-based agroforestry system dynamics and trends in the Akongo subregion of central Cameroon

Cocoa is a major crop and income source for most farmers and rural households in the Centre, South and South-West regions of Cameroon, where cocoa is generally produced in agroforestry systems. In this country, cocoa-based agroforestry systems (CBAFS) are undergoing multiple changes alongside the rapid changes underway in the natural, economic and socio-political conditions. This study—carried out in the Akongo subregion in central Cameroon—was designed to gain insight into the CBAFS trends and dynamics in the light of those multiple changes. This semi-structured socioeconomic survey involved interviews and direct observations at plot, farm, household and village scales. Overall, forty cocoa growers from ten villages were interviewed and then fifteen cocoa plots were characterized on the basis of the survey findings. They revealed that cocoa was the major crop in this study area, with cocoa plantations occupying three quarters of the total farming area. Three types of CBAFS were identified, which differed according to their vegetation structure, management practices and age of the plantations. Dynamics affecting the structural characteristics and the spatial extension of these systems emerged and were intimately linked to the dynamics of the cocoa farmer population in relation to their context.

     

Genetic Diversity of Cameroon Native Goat Populations Revealed by Caprine Microsatellites

A total of seventeen caprine microsatellite markers were used on 169 goats to investigate genetic diversity of eight Cameroon native goat populations and to assess genetic differentiation with the East African small goat. All microsatellites showed a high polymorphic content （PIC） of more than 0.5 in almost all ecotypes. These microsatellite markers were useful for native goat ecotypes variability assessment. Expected heterozygosity of all ecotypes was above 0.5, varying from 0.2 to 0.7. Only goats from Eastern rainforest ecotype deviated from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium test （P 〉 0.001）. Although geographic distribution was a good indication of differentiation, there appeared a tendency of genetic exchange between various ecotypes in Cameroon native goats.