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IntroductionThe cowpea weevil, Callosobruchus maculatus Fab., is the most economically important storage pest of cowpeas, causing up to 100 percent grain losses within six months of storage. To sustainably resist weevil damage, the cowpea cultivar IT86D-1010 was genetically modified via Agrobacterium-mediated transformation to produce event CSI-32, which expresses the kidney bean alpha-amylase inhibitor 1 (αAI-1) protein exclusively in the seed, providing suppression of weevil development.MethodsTrials were conducted in Ghana and Nigeria during the 2023 growing season to assess the performance in the field and in post-harvest storage of this transgenic event (CSI-32) and of four check lines: the non-transformed parental line (IT86D-1010) and three released varieties (SAMPEA 7, SAMPEA 20-T and IT13K-1070-2). Data collected from the field trials comprised plant growth parameters, pest infestations and damage, and grain yield. Harvested grain from each replicated entry was used in a storage assessment of bruchid resistance following artificial infestation with laboratory-reared cowpea weevils. Data were collected on egg oviposition, adult emergence, and grain damage as well as computation of median development period and Dobie’s susceptibility index for each entry.Results and discussionThe agronomic performance and phenotypic characteristics of event CSI-32 were very similar to its parental counterpart and the other compared varieties. However, event CSI-32 exhibited complete suppression of weevil emergence and resistance to seed damage over the four-month period of the post-harvest study.ConclusionsThis work represents the first field study of genetically modified cowpea expressing the αAI-1 protein. It demonstrates how a biotechnology solution to mitigate significant economic losses during cowpea storage, offers great potential for cowpea improvement programs.

AbstractFall Armyworm (FAW) Spodoptera frugiperda infestation in Nigeria has reduced the yield of maize by over 40%, especially where control measures are not implemented adequately or effectively. The concealed feeding behavior of the larvae in the leaf whorl makes its control with insecticide difficult, especially for older larvae as a high volume of insecticide will be required to reach the hidden larvae. This can increase the potential of pest exposure to insecticide, selection pressure and consequent development of resistance. One of the new control strategies being developed for this pest is the use of new insecticides of a different mode of action; Belt Expert (Flubendiamide + Thiacloprid) applied at a threshold of 20% (11,000 plant samples/ha) infestation. Flubendiamide + Thiacloprid gave yields similar to conventional insecticides (Emamectin Benzoate and Lambda-cyhalothrin + Chlorantraniliprole) which were better than the untreated. Another approach is the use of seed treatments (Imidacloprid, Thiamethoxam, Apron plus) followed by 2 foliar sprays with Ampligo (Lambda-cyhalothrin + Chlorantraniliprole) at 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks after planting (WAP). Treatment with imidacloprid or thiamethoxam seed treatment flowed with foliar application of Ampligo at 4WAP significantly had the lowest larval count and highest percentage maize grain yield with a significant yield increase of >15% over the untreated. The use of insecticide with a different mode of action in the targeted pest density and a seed management-based approach may be significant in the management of pest resistance. Future works should focus on integrating some of these approaches in the management of FAW in Nigeria.

Male breast cancer is an uncommon disease accounting for only 1% of all breast cancers. We present the evaluation, treatment and outcome of male patients seen with breast cancer in our institution. Male patients that had histological diagnosis of breast cancer from 2001 to 2010 were retrospectively evaluated. After evaluation patients were treated with modified radical mastectomy. Combination chemotherapy was given to patients with positive axillary lymph nodes. Radiotherapy and hormonal therapy were also employed. There were 57 male patients with breast cancer which accounted for 9% of all breast cancers seen during the study period. Their mean age was 59 ± 2.3 years. The mean tumor diameter was 13 ± 2.5 cm. Fifty three (93%) patients presented with advanced disease including 15 with distant metastasis. Four patients with stage II disease were treated with modified radical mastectomy, chemotherapy and tamoxifen. Of the 30 patients with sage III disease that had modified radical mastectomy, complete axillary clearance and tumor free margins were achieved in 25. Overall 21 (36.8%) patients were tumor free at one year. Overall 5-year survival was 22.8%. In conclusion, male patients with breast cancer present with advanced disease which is associated with poor outcome of treatment.