Valentine Otang Ntui

Introduction Nodulins and nodulin-like genes are induced in legumes upon nodulation by Rhizobium bacteria and play a pivotal role in symbiotic interactions. The initiation of symbiosis between leguminous plants and Rhizobium bacteria involves specific nodulation (Nod) factors (NFs) or lipochitooligosaccharide (LCO) signalling molecules that are secreted by the bacteria into the soil.

1 INTRODUCTION Cassava (Manihot esculenta) is an important tropical crop with annual production of about 315 million tonnes in over 30 million hectares. Africa accounts for 65% of the total global cassava production, with Nigeria being one of the major producers, contributing up to 20% the global total (FAOSTAT, 2022). Other major cassava growers are Angola, Brazil, China, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Indonesia, Mozambique, Vietnam and Thailand (Figures 1 and 2) (FAOSTAT, 2022).

Abstract Banana is a major staple food crop feeding more than 500 million people in tropical and subtropical countries. Its production is largely constrained by diseases and pests in addition to other factors such as declining soil fertility, narrow genetic diversity in germplasm, and inadequate availability of clean planting material.