Journal of Agriculture and Applied Biology
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Estimation of vulnerability to pollution of groundwater of agricultural origin by application of the GOD and SI models in the Ghriss plain (North-West Algeria)
No full textAssessing groundwater sensitivity in areas contaminated by agri-cultural pollution is a complex task for groundwater resource managers. The Ghriss plain (north-western Algeria) is the basis of agricultural development based on diversified crops, irrigated from a local water table of Plio-Quaternary age, considered to be one of the country’s most important reservoirs. In recent years, the overuse of nitrogenous fertilizers and various phytosanitary products, combined with wastewater discharges, has led to the appearance of traces of chemical elements exceeding drinking wa-ter standards, and to a worrying risk of water quality deteriora-tion. This study aims to measure the different categories of vul-nerability to migration of chemical inputs through the unsaturated zone, to preserve groundwater contamination. The approach con-sists of applying two universal methods: the GOD model and the SI model (Susceptibility Index). The mapping of the two models shows that GOD represents a low concentration of measured ni-trate ions, while SI attributes a high pollution dispersion to the unsaturated zone. From this comparison, the GOD method indi-cates the presence of four classes of vulnerability: high 1%; medi-um 70%; low 28% and very low 1%. On the other hand, the SI comparison shows two classes of vulnerability to pollution: very high to high 72% to 23%; medium to very low 2% to 3%. From this comparative study, we deduce that SI gives us a true picture of the pollution phenomena likely to occur, taking into account the nature of the land use, hence its interest in a more accurate esti-mation of unsaturated zones\u27 vulnerability to groundwater pollu-tion by nitrates
Comparative evaluation of the aphicidal activity from Ziziphus spina-christi leaf and stem bark extracts against Aphis fabae Scopoli
No full textRecently, using plants as a renewable source of bioactive mole-cules has aroused worldwide interest in the search for environ-mentally friendly alternatives that are less toxic and less costly than chemical pesticides. The black aphid Aphis fabae Scopoli (Homoptera: Aphididae) is a major insect pest that considerably compromises the quality and productivity of bean crops. This study aimed to compare the aphicidal activity of extracts derived from the medicinal plant Ziziphus spina-christi (L.) (Rhamnaceae) against Aphis fabae to determine and select the most potent ex-tracts in terms of toxicity. We treated aphid larvae and adults with various extracts (of hexane, dichloromethane, methane and water) from the leaves and stem bark of the plant using laborato-ry contact toxicity methods. The toxicity of the extracts was as-sessed based on the percentage of residual population (PR%) in aphid larvae and adults. Our results indicate that the methanolic extracts of Z. spina-christi leaves and bark had the lowest residual population percentages (RP less than 30%) compared with those recorded for the other extracts. The methanol extracts were more toxic to Aphis fabae larvae than adults. We conclude that methanol extracts of Z. spina-christi, particularly the stem bark methanol extract, can be considered an effective botanical aphi-cide harmless to the health and environment and therefore can be used to combat aphids as an alternative to chemical insecti-cides
Comparative analysis of the possible radical scavenging, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects of several extracts in case of Artemisia herba-alba and Juniperus communis gathered from Algeria\u27s mountainous regions
No full textThis research reports a comparative analysis of the possible radical scavenging, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects of several ex-tracts in case of Artemisia herba-alba and Juniperus communis gathered from Algeria\u27s mountainous regions. The plants extracts total phenolic acid content was ascertained using the Folin-Ciocalteu method, and their total flavonoid content was ascertained using the aluminum chlo-ride colorimetric test. By estimating their ability to remove free radi-cals using the DPPH method and the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay, their antioxidant capacity was assessed. Disk diffusion was used to measure the antibacterial activity against five strains of bacteria, and a protein denaturation assay was performed to examine the anti-inflammatory activity. A high polyphenol content of 104.54 ±0.35 mg GAE/g was observed in the hydroethanolic extract of Artemi-sia herba-alba, while a high flavonoid content of 17.05 ±0.13 mg QE/g was found in the hydroethanolic extract of Juniperus communis. Both species extracts showed important antioxidant activity in two separate tests, where the hydroethanolic extracts demonstrated effective action. The crude extracts showed positive antibacterial activity, especially the hydroethanolic extracts against Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae with a super inhibition on concentration 20 mg/ml. In the anti-inflammatory assay, the hydroethanolic extract of J. comminus with IC50: 23.58 ±0.02 μg/mL, has the most potent anti-denaturation effect on albumin. According to the study\u27s findings, the hydroethanolic ex-tracts in case of Artemisia herba-alba and Juniperus communis gathered from Algeria\u27s mountainous regions are possible sources of phenolic compounds with important natural antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory characteristics that may be employed in pharmaceutical products
Effect of pulsed electric field on yield and absorption of Basil essential oil
No full textThe effect of applying pulsed electric field (PEF) treatments on Basil leaves for essential oil extraction was studied. After treatment with pulsed electric field (PEF) with an intensity of 2 kV.cm-1, specific energy of 5kJ.kg-1 and 60 min of distillation, the yield of Basil EO increased from 0.63% (Control) to 0.82%, an increase of 30.16%. However, when basil leaves were treated with very high specific energy PEF (50 kJ.kg-1) a non-significant increase in EO yield compared to the control was observed. This experimental study reports the results regarding the effect of pulsed electric field (PEF) treatment on the absorbance of Basil EO. The study allowed us to recognize an increase in EO absorption by the application of PEF with moderate specific energies. This has significance in quality control, which is an essential factor for the use of essential oils in various applications
Faba bean (Vicia faba L.) in natura mycorrhizal status evaluation and broad bean cropland soil biological fertility
No full textThe Broad bean (Vicia faba L.) is a legume with many virtues, commonly cultivated in the Mediterranean region, especially in Algeria, valued for its high nutritional properties and role in crop rotation systems. Moreover, as a natural green fertilizer, estab-lishing symbiotic relationship with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi found in the soil, faba bean brings significant agronomic benefits, promotes biodiversity and contributes to soil preservation by limiting erosion. This study was conducted in a faba bean cropland site in the northwestern region of Algeria (Sebkha-Wilaya of Oran) in 2022 to assess in natura plant roots mycorrhi-zal colonization, soil characteristics and its biological fertility through mycorrhizal soil infectivity (MSI) and the spore’s abun-dance estimation. Physical and chemical properties analysis showed that the soil had a fine loamy-clay texture, with an alka-line pH, and low phosphorus content. It was moderately poor in organic matter and total nitrogen with less than 12 C/N ratio. In natura Vicia faba L. root fragments mycorrhizal colonization rate was very high (100%) with a highly mycorrhizal intensity (80.45%) and an arbuscular structures abundance (99.28%). Spores extracted from rhizosphere soil sample density were 1657±15.09 spores/100 g. Furthermore, results showed that Vi-cia faba rhizosphere cropland soil was high mycorrhizal infectiv-ity was high with 2.36±1.02g MSI Units/100 g. All results strong-ly suggested that Sebkha Vicia faba cropland soil has a good bio-logical fertility with a significant spore density. These results support the characterization of the soil as a potential biofertiliz-er
Comparative study of immobilized enzyme on nano-composite (SCN) and free enzyme of invertase isolated from baker\u27s yeast
No full textThe objective of this study was to compare the properties and performance of invertase enzyme isolated from baker\u27s yeast, both in free and immobilized form on a starch-copper nanocomposite (SCN). The SCN was synthesized using starch as a reducing agent for the biological production of copper nanoparticles (CuNPs). The Characterization of SCN was performed using Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray diffraction to confirm nanoparticle formation and structural properties. The immobilization of invertase onto SCN was optimized by varying nanoparticle concentration, pH, incubation time, and temperature to maximize enzyme attachment and activity. Enzyme activity was measured for both free and immobilized forms to determine the immobilization efficiency. The study found that the high levels of enzyme immobilization were observed at pH = 9, temperature T = 30, and 3% SCN concentration. For both free and immobilized invertase, the ideal reaction temperatures were 35°C and 40°C, with corresponding pH values of 5 and 4.5. Reusability experiments revealed that the immobilized enzyme retained 49% of its activity after ten cycles, demonstrating improved stability and potential for repeated use. The results suggest that enzyme immobilization on SCN occurs through non-covalent interactions, providing a practical and sustainable approach for biocatalytic applications. This research highlights the potential of starch-based nanocomposites for enzyme stabilization, offering a cost-effective and environmentally friendly solution for industrial and biotechnological applications
Correlation between electrical conductivity in saturated paste extracts and different diluted extracts (1/2.5, 1/5) of coarse-textured soils
No full textSoil salinity poses a significant challenge to agricultural productivity, necessitating precise measurement methods. Rather than relying on complex determinations like saturated paste extracts (ECe), a practical alternative involves assessing soil salinity through the Electrical Conductivity (EC) of soil-water extracts. This simplified yet reliable method is crucial for understanding the impact of soil salinity on agricultural yields. To improve accuracy in representing soluble salts relevant to plant growth, the conversion of EC from soil water extracts to ECe becomes pivotal.In an experimental study, a clear relationship was sought between the Electrical Conductivity (EC) of saturated paste extracts (ECe) and the ratios found in soil-water extracts (1/2.5 and 1/5). Fifty samples of coarse-textured soil were collected from the Djamâa palm grove in Sidi Yahia village, located in the Oued Righ region within the Djamaa Zone. The analysis of the collected data revealed compelling findings, indicating a robust and statistically significant correlation between values obtained from ECe and those derived from EC1/2.5 and EC1/5 (correlation coefficient of R = 0.93 and 0.91, at a significance level of P = 0.05). These results highlight the promising potential of accurately estimating ECe in coarse-textured soils by employing EC1/2.5 and EC1/5, paving the way for streamlining assessment methodologies for soil salinity. This study not only elucidates the correlation between conductivity measures but also proposes a practical means to estimate soil salinity more efficiently. The findings contribute to informed decision-making in agricultural practices within the Northern Sahara\u27s Djamâa palm grove and similar regions, offering valuable insights for sustainable soil management
Groundwater availability for irrigation purposes: Case of Middle Cheliff aquifer Algeria
No full textThe Middle Cheliff Plain faces persistent difficulties in manag-ing its limited groundwater reserves. This region, covering 321 km² in a semi-arid climate, is subjected to a detailed study of groundwater quality for irrigation purposes. In this context, twelve samples were carefully collected and analyzed. Nine es-sential parameters were evaluated, including physicochemical parameters and irrigation indices It is noted that the waters have an average conductivity of 4231 μs.cm-1 and a significant chloride content of 23.33 meq/l which has an unacceptable cat-egory for irrigation also the majority of the indices present fair-ly acceptable and permissible values for irrigation SAR and RSC (100%) of the samples respectively, also the PI 75% of the pie-zometers are suitable for irrigation These criteria were used to assess the suitability of groundwater for irrigation. In most of the plain, the Groundwater Quality Index for Irrigation (GWQII) indicates both acceptable and poor quality. These results show that most of these chemical constituents are above the FAO standards. Therefore, irrigation water poses a danger to the region\u27s vast fields and its fragile crops. The proposed ap-proach has demonstrated efficacy in the assessment of groundwater quality for irrigation purposes, exhibiting versa-tility in application and adaptability across diverse geograph-ical regions, including humid, arid, and semi-arid settings worldwide
Morphological characterization and ecotypic classification of olive varie-ties in Bordj Bou Arreridj, Algeria
No full textThe aim of this research is to establish the phenotypic variation that exists in the olive varieties of Olea europaea L. in the Bordj Bou Arreridj region of Algeria. The study examined 18 olive varieties from 20 farms, focusing on the morphological characterisation of fruits, leaves, and endocarps using standard descriptors and precise measurement tools. Significant coefficients of variation were ob-served for the traits studied, indicating substantial differences among the varieties. The highest variability was found in fruit weight, with a coefficient of variation (CV) of 48.60%, while leaf length demonstrated the lowest CV at 9.77%. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) primarily distinguished three different ecotypic groups based on fruit and endocarp size and shape parameters. The Bray-Curtis similarity analysis revealed compositional similarities among some of the local variants, providing insights into their po-tential genetic relationships. Notably, the study reports the presence of the rare Leucocarpa variety, which had not been previously doc-umented in Algeria. This discovery highlights the importance of thorough regional surveys in uncovering hidden biodiversity. The findings reveal a rich agro-morphological genetic variation in olive ecotypes in the region, which is valuable for genetic conservation efforts and breeding research. This diversity could potentially be exploited to develop cultivars with improved traits such as disease resistance, oil quality, or adaptation to specific environmental condi-tions. Our classification enables targeted breeding, prioritized conser-vation, and optimized cultivation practices, supporting the devel-opment of resilient, locally-adapted varieties and the preservation of valuable genetic resources in the region\u27s olive industry
Evaluation of different organic and inorganic fertilizer combinations on the growth and yield of cabbage
No full textabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata) is the most important winter leafy vegetable in the world and belongs to the Cruciferae family. An experiment was conducted at the Horticultural farm of Gauradaha Agriculture Campus, Tribhuwan University, Jhapa, Nepal from 26th December 2022 to 2nd April 2023 to evaluate the different organic and inorganic fertilizer combinations on the growth and yield of cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata L. cv. Green coronet). The experiment was conducted as a randomized block design with 7 treatments replicated 3 times and the treatments are T1: 25-ton FYM/ha, T2: 25-ton PM/ha, T3: 25-ton FYM/ha + NPK (RDF), T4: 25-ton PM/ha + NPK (RDF), T5: 20-ton FYM/ha + 10-ton PM/ha + NPK (RDF), T6: 10-ton FYM/ha + 20-ton PM/ha + NPK (RDF) and T7: control. Significant variation was found among the treatments. The result showed treatment had a significant role in different parameters. T3- The highest number of leaves, T5- the highest (leaf area, weight with roots, net head yield, horizontal head diameter), T4-highest (plant height, gross yield), T6- highest (stem girth, vertical head diameter) was obtained. On the result basis T5 (20-ton FYM/ha + 10-ton PM/ha + NPK (RDF) can be adopted as sustainable crop production. This study not only provides valuable insights into optimizing cabbage production but also underscores the importance of tailored fertilizer combinations for sustainable agriculture. Furthermore, the findings contribute to the broader discourse on enhancing crop yield while minimizing environmental impact. By elucidating the efficacy of specific fertilizer blends, this research paves the way for more efficient and eco-friendly farming practices, thereby promoting food security and environmental sustainability on a global scale