Abstract The entomopathogenic fungi Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium anisopliae, Lecanicillium lecanii and Isaria fumosorosea were tested for their efficacy in managing the exotic spiraling whitefly Aleurodicus dispersus (Hemiptera, Aleyrodidae) on cassava (Manihot esculenta) during 2 seasons (2011-2012 and 2012-2013). The fungi I. fumosorosea and L. lecanii exhibited promising levels of control (> 70% mortality of the A. dispersus population). The percent mortality increased over time in both seasons. Application of I. fumosorosea was highly pathogenic to A. dispersus in both seasons compared to the other entomopathogenic fungi. Analysis of the percent mortality in both seasons revealed differences in efficacy between 3 and 15 days after treatment. The season also influenced the effects of the fungi on the A. dispersus population. Thus, entomopathogenic fungi have the potential to manage A. dispersus infestation of cassava.

The lithium salt (x) (X= LiAsF6, LiPF6, LiN(C2F5SO2)2 , LiN(CF3SO2)2, LiBF4) was complexed with a host of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC)/ poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) blend polymer and plasticized with a combination of ethylene carbonate (EC) and propylene carbonate(PC). The polymer electrolyte films were prepared for constant PVC/PMMA blend ratio. The electrochemical stability and thermal stability of the solid polymer electrolytes were reported. The role of PMMA to the phenomena occurring at the interface between the electrolyte and the lithium metal electrode was explored.

Thin films of polymer blend electrolytes comprising Poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) and Poly(methyl methacrylate)(PMMA) and plasticized with a combination of ethylene carbonate (EC) and propylene carbonate (PC) for different lithium imide salt, LiN(C2F5SO3)2 , concentrations were prepared using the solution casting technique. The films were subjected to a. c. impedance measurements as a function of temperature ranging from -30 °C to 70 °C. The variation of ionic conductivity as a function of temperature and PVC content in the blend was analysed. The role of PMMA in the phenomena occurring at the interface between the plasticized polymer electrolyte and lithium electrode was also studied. The cast films were also subjected to TG/DTA and FT-IR studies which are discussed.