The effect of urban green on meteorological parameters such as temperature and relative humidity was assessed on one major city street in Cotonou called “Boulevard de Missèbo-Zongo” (BMZ). Tree inventory and field measurement of meteorological parameters were performed on the roadside and central median of the BMZ. Dendrometric data collected were the number of tree species, the number of tree individuals per species, the diameter of trees at breast height, the tree heights, the tree crown shape, shade form on the ground when the sun is at Zenith; while the meteorological data were the air temperature and the relative humidity inside and outside of urban green at 1.5, 2 and 3 meters height measured from 7am to 6pm at one hour interval. Data were analyzed using Mixed Generalized Linear Model under R 3.3.1 software. Results showed that street alignment trees were poorly diversified and dominated by Khaya senegalensis . This species appeared to be highly pruned and threatened because of its numerous medicinal virtues. Moreover it was found that air temperature and relative humidity were influenced by the time and the place of measurement. The coolness effect of urban green was evidenced by the decrease in temperature under alignment trees compared with that recorded on roadside free of trees. These results suggested that urban green could be adopted as adaptation strategy to address the issue of global warming in the city.

Plantains (Musa spp) are among the most important cultivated horticultural crops in West Africa. Various varieties and cultivars are produced in Benin. This study aimed at evaluating the physical characteristics and some proximate composition of some plantain cultivars consumed in Benin. Physical parameters including weight of the bunch, number of hands and fingers, weight of hands and finger, pulp percentage and flour yield were assessed using five cultivars of plantain (Aloga, Aloga 2M, Gnivlan, Kpahissi, Orishele) and one cooking banana (Pelipita). In addition, color parameters, dry matter as well as total minerals contents were assessed for the pulp of the various cultivars. It came out that Kpahissi cultivars had heavier bunches and a lot of hands than the other cultivars while Aloga 2M had the highest weight of hands and fingers. Finger number varied from 2 to 12 among the six cultivars. The pulp percentage ranged from 51.3 to 70.71%. Kpahissi pulp was brighter but less yellow and red than the other pulps cultivars. Significant differences were observed in dry matter and total minerals contents of pulps with highest values for Pelipita pulp. This study provides baseline information on plantain diversity in terms of their physical characteristics in Benin. Results can be helpful in the choice of plantain bunches during purchasing.

Effectiveness of neem seed oil ( Azadirachta indica A. Juss: Meliaceae) on Syllepte derogata Fabricius, Lepidoptera: Pyralidae