National Root Crops Research Institute

Cancer continues to be a significant global health liability characterized by high mortality rates and substantial treatment costs. The limitations of the existing therapeutic strategies, including chemotherapy, have led to the search for alternatives. This review categorizes the bioactive compounds from medicinal plants, including quinones, polyphenols, triterpenes, flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, and saponins, and examines their antineoplastic effects. Plant bioactives exert anticancer effects through multiple mechanisms, including the inhibition of angiogenesis, induction of apoptosis, and cell cycle arrest, mediated by complex cellular signaling pathways. Therefore, exploring additional plant-based bioactives and their respective mechanisms of action is essential. This review highlights several medicinal plants with anticancer properties, including Artemisia annua , Coptis chinensis , and Curcuma longa . Many of these active compounds are currently in clinical use, such as paclitaxel, vinblastine, and topotecan. Biomarkers play a critical role in the diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of cancer, with key examples discussed, including the BRAF V600E mutation, the EGFR gene, and BRCA1/BRCA2 genes . Despite advancements in cancer treatment, medicinal plants continue to offer promising alternatives, emphasizing the need for further exploration for the development of antineoplastic drugs.

Taro leaf blight (TLB), the most destructive disease of taro caused by the oomycete Phytophthora colocasiae. An effective strategy for controlling this disease is the development of resistant cultivars. In this study, a genome-wide association study (GWAS) was conducted on 265 taro genotypes to identify genomic regions and putative candidate genes associated with TLB resistance and yield traits. The field experiments were conducted at the National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI), Umudike, in 2021/2022 and 2022/2023 planting seasons. TLB severity, plant height, vigor, number of suckers, corm weight, cormel weight, and total tuber weight were evaluated. A genome-wide association mapping detected 18 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) markers significantly associated with TLB, number of suckers, corm weight, cormel weight, and total tuber weight. Gene annotation of significant SNP loci identified 6, 1, 2, 2, and 1 putative candidate genes associated with TLB resistance, number of suckers, corm weight, cormel weight, and total tuber weight respectively. Co-localization of a significant SNP 83978367 associated with corm weight and total tuber weight on chromosome 11 is possibly an indication of pleiotropic effects or the presence of closely linked genes controlling these traits. GWAS failed to detect significant associations in plant height and vigor. This study provides a basis for research on genetic control of TLB resistance, number of suckers, and yield-associated traits and thus provides resources for the ongoing effort to develop high-yielding, and disease resistant taro cultivars.

Yam (Dioscorea rotundata) is a major staple crop in West Africa and plays a central role in regional food security, rural livelihoods, and cultural identity. Its wide ecological adaptation, diverse maturity periods, and in-ground storage capacity make yams critical to seasonal food availability and resilience of smallholder farming systems. Despite its importance, existing yam research has largely emphasized biophysical and agronomic dimensions, with limited integration of the socio-cultural and ecological factors that shape yam-based food systems. This review addresses this gap by synthesizing interdisciplinary knowledge on yam food ecology, focusing on how socio-cultural values, beliefs, behaviours, and interactions influence production, utilization, and sustainability of yam systems. We examine the roles of culture, politics, power relations, gender dynamics, and community organization in structuring yam production and consumption across the West African yam belt. The review further explores the long-standing human–yam relationship and the implications of eroding traditional knowledge for future food system resilience. By adopting a systems and ecological perspective that integrates life and social sciences, this review provides a framework to inform sustainable yam crop improvement, value chain development, and inclusive policy interventions, thereby supporting long-term food security and rural development in West Africa.

The study analyzed how socioeconomic factors and newly released cassava varieties impact women's participation and income generation in the value chain, aiming to promote gender-inclusive agricultural development. This study examines the demographic and socioeconomic characteristics of women involved in cassava production. Most participants are middle-aged (31–50 years), married, and head large households, highlighting their central role in household sustenance and income generation. The majority possess secondary education, which may enhance their adoption of improved practices. Women predominantly farm small plots (1–2 hectares), reflecting persistent land access constraints. Annual earnings are modest, with most earning ₦101,000–₦200,000, indicating limited economic empowerment. Farmers prioritize high-yielding cassava varieties, though early maturity and income potential are also valued. These findings underscore the need for interventions targeting land access, improved varieties, and market opportunities. Ordinary least squares regression analysis revealed that 82.17% of the variability in women’s participation in cassava production in Imo State is explained by key socio-economic factors. Age and household size showed significant negative effects, indicating that older women and those from larger households are less likely to participate. In contrast, marital status, education, farmers’ association membership, and access to credit all had positive and significant impacts, with education and association membership being especially influential. Regarding income control, only 22.22% of women had full autonomy over cassava sales revenue, while the majority (77.78%) shared decision-making, highlighting both collaborative and independent financial roles within households. Key words: Women, Cassava, participation, Income generation

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study is to assess the impact of cooking methods on the chemical composition and bioavailability of minerals in Plectranthus esculentus tubers. Analysis of the chemical composition and bioavailability of minerals in Plectranthus esculentus tubers was performed using standard protocols. Boiling increased the moisture and decreased the total protein, total amino acids and some minerals but did not affect the ash, crude fibre, fat, total carbohydrates, energy value, phytates, tannins, oxalates, trypsin inhibitor, saponin, Pb, Cd, Ar, Mg, Ni, Mo, Al, vanadium, Be and Au; frying increased the total fat content; decreased the total proteins, amino acids and some minerals; and depleted Be but did not affect the moisture, ash, crude fibre, carbohydrates, energy value, phytates, tannins, oxalates, trypsin inhibitor, saponin, Pb, Cd, As, Ni, Mo, Al, vanadium and, Au; roasting decreased the total protein, total amino acids and some minerals; depleted Pb, Ni and Be but did not affect the moisture, ash, crude fibre, fat, total carbohydrates, energy value, phytates, tannins, oxalates, trypsin inhibitor, saponin, Cd, As, Mo, Al, vanadium and Au contents of the tuber compared to the raw tubers. Raw and processed Plectranthus esculentus tubers were good sources of some important nutrients, phenolic and flavonoid compounds. Boiling retained the nutrients and polyphenol compounds in the tubers better than frying or roasting. A bioavailability study showed that the phytates and oxalates in the tuber may not affect the bioavailabilities of calcium, zinc or iron in it when eaten. Consumption of raw and processed Plectranthus esculentus tubers could be relevant in curbing nutrient deficiency for people in tropical regions where this tuber is eaten as food. For the purpose of processing, boiling may be more useful than frying or roasting, for utilization of the nutrient and bioactive compounds of this tuber.

The use of plant-based dietary supplements in aquaculture has gained increasing attention due to their potential to enhance fish health and promote sustainable production. Psidium guajava (guava), rich in bioactive compounds with antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties, has been explored for its possible health benefits in Clarias gariepinus (African catfish), a commercially important species in aquaculture. This study investigates the effects of Psidium guajava-supplemented diets on the haematological and biochemical indices of C. gariepinus juveniles. Fish were fed diets containing varying concentrations of guava leaf extract (0g, 5g, 10g, and 15g per 100ml) to evaluate their impact on key health parameters such as red blood cell count (RBC), haemoglobin concentration (HB), packed cell volume (PCV), lipid profiles, and serum antioxidant enzymes. The results indicated that diets supplemented with P. guajava significantly improved RBC, PCV, and HB values, suggesting enhanced oxygen transport and overall physiological status. Additionally, guava supplementation reduced total cholesterol and LDL-C levels while increasing HDL-C, indicating improved lipid metabolism. Antioxidant enzyme activities, including glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT), were elevated in fish-fed guava-supplemented diets, with a corresponding decrease in malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, indicating reduced oxidative stress. These findings suggest that Psidium guajava can potentially optimize haematological and biochemical health indices in C. gariepinus juveniles, making it a promising functional feed additive for improving fish health and production in aquaculture.

Field experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of different rates of organo-mineral fertilizers on the growth and yield of selected rice cultivars at two locations: the Teaching and Research Farm of Taraba State University, Jalingo, and Karim Lamido area of Taraba State, North-East Nigeria, during the 2024 cropping season. The experiment used a factorial (2×4×4) arrangement in a Randomised Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. Treatments comprised four upland rice varieties (Faro 44, Faro 58, Faro 59, and local CP) and four fertilizer regimes: 20 t/ha cow dung (organic, OF), 300 kg/ha N.P.K 20:10:10 (inorganic, IF), a 50% cow dung + 50% N.P.K mixture (MX), and an unfertilized control (CT), resulting in 16 treatment combinations. Each plot measured 3 m × 1.5 m with 20 stands, and seedlings were transplanted at 30 cm × 30 cm spacing. Data were collected on tiller number, leaf area, 1000-seed weight, and grain yield. Results showed location significantly (P<0.05) influenced tiller number and yield: Karim Lamido recorded higher tiller numbers (2.7–10.7) and 26.9% greater 1000-seed weight than Jalingo. The highest grain yield (14.19 t/ha) was obtained with 20 t/ha cow dung at Karim Lamido, followed by the 50% mixture (12.26 t/ha), both significantly outperforming the control (8.11 t/ha). Similar yield trends were observed in Jalingo. Overall, the 20 t/ha organic fertilizer and 50% mixture produced comparable yields at both sites. Therefore, applying a 50% organic and 50% inorganic fertilizer blend is recommended to enhance rice yield in the study areas.

This study focuses on how, apart from research, commercial seed initiatives and practices aimed at promoting and selling improved varieties also identified gendered trait preferences of cassava users along the value chain. Since 2015, the public cassava breeding program in Nigeria, led by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in collaboration with the National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI), has carried out various research studies to determine the gendered trait preferences by different cassava users along the whole value chain. These studies inform which crop users the cassava breeding programs target, the traits to select, and the definition of product profiles considering gender. The commercial enterprises IITA GoSeed and Umudike Seeds have engaged cassava seed users who validated the findings of the previous studies. The formal cassava seed system in Nigeria is in a nascent stage. Feedback from this system through seed demand and sales is valuable for breeders. Therefore, this study focused on documenting a case study of how IITA GoSeed and Umudike Seeds commercial initiatives, aimed at promoting and selling improved varieties, identified additional gendered user preferences. A total of six key informant interviews were conducted with IITA GoSeed and Umudike staff. Furthermore, reports and sales data shared by the two companies were assessed. We found that traits such as plant architecture that suppresses weed (branched stems with widespread canopy) and food processing suitability were confirmed as important gendered traits while ratooning ability (allowing to cut stems from an existing plant without the plant being affected much) and sweet taste of tubers which can be eaten boiled without elaborate processing are new gendered traits identified by the two companies. IITA GoSeeds and Umudike Seeds identified that the variety TME419 has the highest sales records among men and women, with more recently released varieties gradually becoming more popular, and their branched soil covering or umbrella shape seems to be an important value-added and gendered trait. Notably, women village seed entrepreneurs (VSEs) showed a distinct preference and demand for the varieties Gamechanger and Farmers' Pride, surpassing the demand recorded among men from both companies. Our findings illustrate that the upcoming commercial seed market demand for different varieties coupled with integrated action research can capture emerging trends among cassava seed and root producers to guide breeding efforts, which is particularly important as breeding is a future investment.