Cameroon

New biocontrols to fight brown rot in cocoa plants

In Cameroon, cocoa represents close to 30 percent of nonpetroleum exports, generating more than $19 billion (CAD) in annual revenue for some 600,000 producers. The cocoa plant, however, is threatened by brown rot caused by Phytophthora megakarya. To date, efforts to eliminate the pandemic or limit its expansion have not been fully successful.

This project sought to develop a way to counter brown rot through biocontrols, the training of researchers and African students in the field of biocontrols, and by consolidating the efforts of Canadian researchers to create and participate in an international research network.

Working with two African students, the research team broke new ground, demonstrating that the JJY4 strain of bacteria belonged to a new species. The antibiotic properties of the JJY4 strain proved effective against Phytophthora megakarya and in addition was found to stimulate the growth of cocoa plants, even in the absence of the pathogen. This aspect of biofertilization was unexpected and requires more exploration.

In terms of training, 60 graduate and post-graduate students at the Université de Yaoundé l and l’Université de Dschang in Cameroon took a course on biocontrols taught by Dr. Beaulieu. The average grade in the written exam was 90 percent, indicating an effective transfer of knowledge. These senior students became the foundation for a research network between Quebec and Cameroon.

In particular, the project promoted the participation of women in scientific research. In addition to co-directing a course on women and science, Dr. Beaulieu facilitated a conference on “Scientific objectivity and the role of women in the sciences.” The conference, which attracted 40 participants, included a stimulating discussion on similarities between women researchers in North America and male researchers in Africa.

Since so little new research exists on antibiotics made from African microorganisms, the new molecule may well interest not only the agriculture community but the pharmaceutical industry as well. Not surprisingly, the team plans to patent its discovery once the structure of the molecule has stabilized.

No doubt these discoveries will also interest policy and decision-makers in Cameroon. Indeed, government representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Ministry of Scientific Research and Innovation took part in one of the five conferences led by Dr. Beaulieu in Cameroon. Dr. Boudjeko plans to follow up with the two departments.