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Background: Development of high yielding and disease resistant cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) varieties, coupled with the promotion of efficient processing technologies, is the principal intervention aimed at changing the cassava sector in Cameroon. National research and extension programs have been spearheading efforts to disseminate these varieties alongside improving farmer's access to other technologies. Methods: This paper investigated the rate of adoption of the disseminated cassava varieties and processing technologies on adopting households. Survey of 100 households was done in 5 villages (Mbankomo, Akono, Okola, Ngoumou and Nkoldoum) in the Center Region of Cameroon. Results: The results showed that in all the study sites 40% of the farmers cultivate improved variety. They process cassava at home using small processing commercial processors. It is noted that the farmers prefer the improved variety because of their high dry matter content and most common processed cassava products were found to be "Baton" and "Fufu". Moreover, farmers that were able to obtain the improved variety appreciate this variety so much because of its yield and disease tolerant and most of all of because of their high dry matter content which the farmers appreciate a lot. The farmer's adhesions in community organizations or cooperative organizations have a higher tendency of obtaining credits for their farms seeds and other technical support. Thus the introduction of new cassava varieties would be enhanced by farmers' access to these facilities and services. Conclusion: The size of the farm, the availability and the adoption of improved planting material play a critical role on cassava tuber production in Center Region of Cameroon.

Powdered dried leaves of Tephrosia vogelii (Hook) (Leguminosae: Papilionoideae) were extracted using hexane, acetone, and ethanol. The extracts were tested for their ability to protect stored maize from damage by Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky, the major maize weevil in Africa. The acetone and ethanol extracts were ineffective, but the hexane extract had a relatively high efficacy, producing within 7 days a slow reduction in adult survival, reduced numbers of eggs laid and reduced numbers of F1 progeny, resulting in seed damage averaging 8.8% compared with 98.6% in the untreated control after one generation. This hexane extract provided control of S. zeamais at a higher level compared with neem (the botanical control) but at a lower level compared with pirimiphos-methyl (the synthetic control). These findings are discussed in the context of T. vogelii containing rotenoids.

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Rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivated in Cameroon is appreciated by consumers for its nutritive quality and good taste. Diversity of 68 local rice cultivars was investigated via grain morphology and protein content characterization. The size and shape of grains were determined and used with yield parameters to classify the cultivars and perform Principal Component Analysis (PCA). Total protein content and glutelin content of eight selected cultivars (CMRGNd, CMRGDn, CMRGTï, CMRTBa, CMRDWb, CMRDTc3, CMRDTx5 and CMRDTx6) were evaluated by Bradford assay and correlation analysis of all the parameters studied was performed. Long size grains (42) were predominant over extra-long (16), medium (9) and short (1) grains. Slender shaped grains (36) were distinguished as well as medium (28) and bold (4) grains. The 68 cultivars were grouped into four clusters independent of their origins. PCA revealed three principal components accounting for 74.4% of total variation. Highest total protein content was observed in CMRGNd (14.3%) and highest glutelin content in CMRGDn (10.1 mgEqvBSA/g DW). Pearson correlation of the different variables revealed no significant correlation between total protein and glutelin contents with the agro-morphological parameters evaluated in this study. This suggests that none of these parameters could be descriptor for protein content. Positive correlation between grain length and yield (r = 0.7) suggests grain length as yield descriptor.