Advances in Agriculture and Agricultural Sciences

Advances in Agriculture and Agricultural Sciences | Vol. 12, No. 2, February 2026 | pp. 23–27

DOI: 10.46882/2026.AAAS.120205

Research Article

Title: Biocontrol Efficacy of Trichoderma harzianum Formulations Against Fusarium Oxysporum in Phaseolus vulgaris

Names of Authors: Okafor, C. E.¹, Mensah, K. A.², and Traore, S.³

Authors’ Affiliations: ¹Department of Crop Protection, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria. ²Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Savannah Agricultural Research Institute, Tamale, Ghana. ³Institut de l'Environnement et de Recherches Agricoles, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

Abstract: Fusarium wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum accounts for widespread crop failures in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) fields across Sub-Saharan Africa. Synthetic fungicides present high input costs and negative chemical footprint implications. This field trial assessed the bio-protective capacity of three delivery modes of Trichoderma harzianum (seed coating, soil drench, and enriched compost matrix). Greenhouse screenings verified that T. harzianum isolates suppressed fungal pathogen mycelial extensions by 64.2% via hyperparasitism mechanisms during dual-culture trials. In disease-infested test fields, the organic compost amendment method reduced typical vascular discoloration scores from 4.2 to 1.1 on a standard severity index scale. The treatment preserved root structural biomass, leading to a 36.8% increase in nodulation by native Rhizobium strains. Total bean yields reached 1.85 tons/ha in bio-treated zones, compared to 0.92 tons/ha in untreated disease control plots. Enzyme assays confirmed that the biological agent induced higher levels of peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase defense pathways within the host plant tissue.

Keywords: Biological disease control; Root rot; Mycoparasitism; Common bean; Plant defense enzymes; Soil health.

Manuscript Timeline: Received October 27, 2025; Revised December 20, 2025; Accepted January 19, 2026; Published February 23, 2026.

Citation: Okafor, C. E., Mensah, K. A., and Traore, S. (2026). Biocontrol Efficacy of Trichoderma harzianum Formulations Against Fusarium Oxysporum in Phaseolus vulgaris. Advances in Agriculture and Agricultural Sciences, 12(2), pp. 23–27.

Advances in Agriculture and Agricultural Sciences | Vol. 12, No. 2, February 2026 | pp. 6–11

DOI: 10.46882/2026.AAAS.120202

Research Article

Title: Genomic Selection and Genome-Wide Association Mapping for Drought Tolerance in Elite Spring Wheat Lines

Names of Authors: Silva, R. M.¹, Santos, P. H.¹, and Smith, J. A.²

Authors’ Affiliations: ¹Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa, Brazil. ²Department of Plant Sciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo, USA.

Abstract: Climate instability threatens international spring wheat productivity due to prolonged moisture deficits during the anthesis phase. This study combined Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS) with genomic selection models to uncover markers linked with drought resilience in 185 elite breeding lines. Experiments were deployed under controlled moisture-stress fields where relative water content dropped below 45% during grain filling. High-density Single Nucleotide Polymorphism arrays (90K SNP chip) uncovered 14 distinct quantitative trait loci associated with canopy temperature depression, root length matrix, and spikelet sterility factors. Phenotypic validation indicated that lines possessing favorable alleles at chromosome 3B exhibited a 19.4% increase in relative water conservation during drought peaks. Genomic prediction accuracies utilizing G-BLUP algorithms ranged between 0.52 and 0.68 for kernel weight parameters under extreme water deficiency. The application of selection indices preserved overall grain number per spike, maintaining average test weight at 76.5 kg/hL despite high thermal constraints. The integration of these genomic architectures provides automated channels for acceleration of resilient crop development pipelines.

Keywords: Molecular breeding; Association mapping; Canopy temperature; Triticum aestivum; Allelic variation; Water stress.

Manuscript Timeline: Received October 18, 2025; Revised December 11, 2025; Accepted January 12, 2026; Published February 17, 2026.

Citation: Silva, R. M., Santos, P. H., and Smith, J. A. (2026). Genomic Selection and Genome-Wide Association Mapping for Drought Tolerance in Elite Spring Wheat Lines. Advances in Agriculture and Agricultural Sciences, 12(2), pp. 6–11.

Advances in Agriculture and Agricultural Sciences | Vol. 12, No. 2, February 2026 | pp. 1–5

DOI: 10.46882/2026.AAAS.120201

Research Article

Title: Evaluating the Efficacy of Nano-Encapsulated Urea on Nitrogen Use Efficiency and Yield in Zea mays

Names of Authors: Adegoke, O. A.¹, Ibrahim, M. K.², and Chen, X.³

Authors’ Affiliations: ¹Department of Agronomy, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria. ²Department of Soil Science, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria. ³Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China.

Abstract: Nitrogen loss via leaching and volatilization remains a significant impediment to sustainable maize crop production globally. This study evaluated the comparative efficacy of nano-encapsulated urea versus conventional prilled urea on the Nitrogen Use Efficiency (NUE) and overall grain yield of Zea mays over two cropping seasons. A randomized complete block design with four replications was established using five nitrogen application rates (0, 30, 60, 90, and 120 kg N/ha). Soil analysis showed a significant modification in mineral nitrogen dynamics within the top 0-30 cm layer. The nano-encapsulated formulations demonstrated a slow-release profile, matching the peak vegetative demand of the crop. At the 90 kg N/ha threshold, the nano-urea variant increased total chlorophyll contents by 24.5% and total leaf area index by 18.2% compared to standard treatments. Grain yield under nano-fertilization reached an optimum of 6.84 metric tons/ha, representing a 14.3% increase over traditional applications at identical nitrogen rates. Furthermore, agronomic nitrogen efficiency increased from 22.4 kg grain/kg N to 34.8 kg grain/kg N. Volatilization losses of ammonia were reduced by approximately 38.5%, indicating high environmental compatibility. The study concludes that nano-encapsulated nitrogen delivery systems can substantially optimize crop performance while reducing structural fertilizer inputs.

Keywords: Crop nutrition; Nitrogen recovery; Nanotechnology; Fertilizer optimization; Sustainable agronomy; Crop yield.

Manuscript Timeline: Received October 12, 2025; Revised December 05, 2025; Accepted January 10, 2026; Published February 15, 2026.

Citation: Adegoke, O. A., Ibrahim, M. K., and Chen, X. (2026). Evaluating the Efficacy of Nano-Encapsulated Urea on Nitrogen Use Efficiency and Yield in Zea mays. Advances in Agriculture and Agricultural Sciences, 12(2), pp. 1–5.

Advances in Agriculture and Agricultural Sciences ISSN 2756-326X Vol. 12 (2), pp. 001-005, February, 2026. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Evaluating Seed Relief: Lessons on Food Security from Zimbabwe’s Agricultural Recovery

Richard Foti¹, Violet Muringai², Zira Mavunganidze³, Nyararai Mlambo⁴

Bindura University of Science Education P.O. Box 1020 Bindura Zimbabwe

Accepted 5 November, 2025

This paper describes Zimbabwe’s agricultural recovery program and draws some lessons that can be used in the designing and implementation of future programs. Input aid was found to be most beneficial if it is packaged together with other backup services such as training in soil fertility and water management, development of lucrative markets, and provision of basic infrastructure. Complementarity among the components of the input package itself was also found to affect the productivity of these inputs. The study concluded that donor organisations should work closely with the recipient commu-nities in the design and implementation of the aid programs.

Key words: Seed aid, Drought, Non-Governmental Organizations, Poor Communities.
 

Advances in Agriculture and Agricultural Sciences ISSN 2756-326X Vol. 12 (2), pp. 001-014, February, 2026. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Review 

Bio-preservation of Meat Products: Harnessing Lactic Acid Bacteria against Spoilage

*Olusegun A. Olaoye and Iniobong G. Ntuen

Food Technology Department, The Federal Polytechnic, PMB 420, Offa, Kwara State, Nigeria

Accepted 20 January, 2026

Spoilage of meat has remained a serious challenge in developing countries, including Nigeria, for decades. This has been due to poor storage systems in such countries where necessary facilities that could help promote preservation are unavailable. Where available, unsteady power supply necessary to maintain such facilities has constituted a serious problem, thereby rendering them to function below their maximum capacity. Furthermore, the ambient temperature in developing countries that are in tropical regions is usually about 30oC or above; most spoilage organisms have been found to have their optimum growth temperature within such temperature range. In the present review, a general appraisal of meat spoilage and the potential of lactic acid bacteria in its biopreservation are discussed, with the view to suggesting a way to reduce wastage normally associated with meat due to spoilage. This could be of tremendous importance in developing countries, such as Nigeria, where procurement and maintenance of storage facilities have remained a matter of serious concern for many meat processors till date.

Keywords: challenge, storage systems, unsteady power supply, spoilage organisms, biopreservation, meat processors
 

Advances in Agriculture and Agricultural Sciences ISSN 2756-326X Vol. 12 (2), pp. 001-005, February, 2026. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

In Vivo Evaluation of Anogeissus leiocarpus against Trypanosoma brucei brucei in Experimental Animals

A.U. Wurochekke* and G.O. Anyanwu

Biochemistry Department, Federal University of Technology, Yola

Accepted 5 November, 2025

Aqueous and methanol extracts of different parts of Anogeissus leiocarpus were analyzed for in vitro antitrypanosomal activity against Trypanosoma brucei brucei. The methanolic extract of the bark which had the highest in vitro activity against the parasite was selected for the in vivo analysis. Oral treatment with the methanolic bark extract to experimental rats at different doses (100,200mg/kg/day) for seven days did not clear the parasitemia. However, rats treated with 200 mg/kg/day survived longer than the infected control group. The results were discussed in respect to traditional treatment of trypanosomiasis.

Keywords: Anogeissus leiocarpus, Trypanosomiasis, Trypanosoma bruei brucei