Journal of Agriculture and Applied Biology
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The effects of herbicide application on the properties of agricultural soil in Algeria
No full textPhytosanitary products, particularly herbicides, are essential for weed control in agriculture. This study examined the concentration and persistence of Pinoxaden residues in different soil textures. Seventy-two soil samples from two farms in Tiaret, Algeria, were analyzed using liquid chromatography (HPLC) to measure herbicide residues. The analysis used a mobile phase of acetonitrile and methanol (50/50, V/V) with a retention time of 2 minutes. Results indicated significant differences in residue persistence based on soil texture. Clay-loam soils showed higher residue persistence, averaging 6.01 × 10^-4 ± 8.7 × 10^-5 μg/g, while sandy soils had lower persistence, averaging 6.4 × 10^-5 ± 5.9 × 10^-6 μg/g. This underscores the impact of soil characteristics on herbicide behavior and the need for tailored management strategies. Despite herbicides\u27 benefits, their environmental impacts are concerning. Persistent residues can contaminate soil and harm ecosystems. Raising awareness among stakeholders about these risks is essential. The study recommends sustainable alternatives, such as biological control methods, to reduce dependency on chemical herbicides. Biological controls offer eco-friendly solutions, promoting ecosystem balance and reducing agriculture\u27s ecological footprint. Implementing crop rotation and other integrated pest management (IPM) strategies can enhance weed control effectiveness while decreasing reliance on chemical herbicides. These practices mitigate environmental risks and improve soil health and agricultural productivity. In conclusion, while herbicides are indispensable in modern agriculture, responsible use and management are crucial for environmental sustainability and the long-term viability of agricultural systems. By adopting sustainable practices and innovative technologies, it is possible to balance agricultural productivity with environmental protection
Mapping anthropogenic impacts on natural resources in the northeastern Sahara region: A case study on the past 26 years over the Ziban region (Algeria)
No full textThe objective of this research was to map and analyze anthropogenic impacts on natural resources in the Ziban region of Algeria using remote sensing imagery from 1995 to 2021. Medium-resolution satellite images from Landsat TM and OLI were utilized, with image processing techniques such as colorful compositions and supervised classification to map land cover. Seven land use and land cover (LULC) classes were identified, distinguishing human-derived categories (palm, agriculture, urban, and greenhouses) from natural surfaces (nebka, natural vegetation, and bare soil). The results indicated significant increases in human-driven elements like palm, urban areas, agriculture, greenhouses, and nebka, and notable decreases in natural components like vegetation and bare soil. Specifically, the rate of change (Tc) showed increases of 0.9% for palm, 1.14% for urban, 1.55% for agriculture, 1.91% for greenhouses, and 9.37% for nebka, and decreases of -3.68% for vegetation and -11.19% for bare soil. These findings highlight the impact of agricultural policies, population growth, and natural and human-induced conditions on natural resources. Palm areas remained largely unchanged due to state policies, whereas agriculture saw significant conversions to bare soil and palm. Vegetation declined substantially due to adverse climatic conditions and agricultural expansion. Nebka and urban areas had moderate to high conversion rates, and bare soil saw notable changes due to sand movement and urban/agricultural development. The study highlights the role of remote sensing and land cover analysis in managing natural resources sustainably, considering factors like agricultural policies and population growth. It emphasizes developing data-driven strategies for effective land use and management
Dynamic interplay of soil parameters and CO2 sequestration in Solanku-runi Freshwater Pond Wetland, Tamil Nadu, India
No full textThis study investigates the dynamic interplay between soil temperature, pH levels, and CO2 sequestration across ten sample sites over a four-month periods from January to April 2018 in Solankuruni freshwater pond wetland in Madurai District, Tamil Nadu, India. The soil temperature fluctuations, ranging from 31°C to 44°C, reveal distinct site-specific patterns, with sample site six consistently exhibiting the highest temperatures. Soil temperature exhibited notable variations, influenced by factors such as soil composition, and microclimate variations. Regarding pH level, the range between 6.23 to 8.1 display variability influenced by factors like soil composition and anthropogenic influences, study site five consistently leading in pH levels. Soil CO2 sequestration varying from 1517.857 g/m² to 3357.143 g/m², highlight the influence of soil microbial activity, vegetation cover, and soil moisture content, ninth site consistently showing the highest sequestration rates. The findings reveal substantial variations in factors such as soil composition, vegetation type, microclimate, and anthropogenic activities, prominence the intricate nature of soil dynamics. These results stress the importance of understanding the interconnections among soil properties to create effective climate change mitigation strategies. Moreover, the research provides valuable understanding of the intricate connections between soil properties, emphasizing the necessity for region-specific studies to inform comprehensive environmental policies. Understanding these dynamic soil processes is crucial for advancing sustainable land management practices and boosting soil carbon sequestration in wetland ecosystems
Triticum durum productivity and adaptability of two genotypes under water deficit in Algerian high plains
No full textOver the past few decades, Algeria has experienced a significant decline in rainfall patterns, which has been exacerbated by increasing hot spells leading to elevated rates of evapotranspiration. This combination of factors has induced severe water stress, critically impacting agricultural productivity, particularly in cereal production. Recognizing the urgency of this issue, our study was conducted over two consecutive cropping seasons at the experimental agricultural site of Ibn Khaldoun University in Tiaret, located in the western region of Algeria. We specifically investigated the performance of two durum wheat cultivars, ACSAD 297 and CTA 159, under conditions of water stress typical of the Algerian high plains. Our research focused on the impacts of water deficits during the grain filling phase, assessing their effects on seed formation, seed quality, and overall yield development. The results highlighted that contributions from various plant components to grain filling were notably affected by water availability, with lower leaves contributing 22%, the flag leaf 15%, the ear 14%, the ear neck 10%, and awns less than 1%. Notably, the ACSAD 297 cultivar exhibited superior drought tolerance compared to CTA 159, indicating its potential for cultivation in arid conditions. Furthermore, we established strong correlations between grain diameter, thousand grain weight, and stem height, which could inform future breeding initiatives. These findings not only provide important targets for enhancing drought resistance in durum wheat but also have broader implications for improving wheat productivity in semi-arid regions around the world, contributing to food security in the face of climate change
The therapeutic effects of Juglans regia Linn (Walnut) extracts on oral Candida infection
No full textThe difficulties associated with oral Candida infection management necessitate the development of novel antifungal medicines in order to widen the spectrum of activity against Candida albicans. The aim of this work is to study the oral anticandidal activity of Juglans regia L. cultivated in Algeria. This plant was chosen due to its traditional use for the treatment of oral infections. Methanolic, ethanolic, butanolic, ethylic acetate and acetonic extracts of the bark of J. regia L. were extracted in a Soxhlet device and screened for in vitro activity against C. albicans. Plant preparations were screened for antifungal activity using a standard agar well diffusion assay. Following a study of the antimicrobial activity of plant extracts, their minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal fungicidal concentration (MFC) values were determined using a broth microdilution assay. Among J. regia L. extracts, ethylic acetate extract had potent antifungal activity against Candida strain with diameters of inhibition ranging from 15.16±0.76 to 20.83±0.76 mm, followed by acetonic extract with diameters of inhibition ranging from 14.83±0.76 to 19.33±0.28 mm. The J. regia L. demonstrated MIC values ranging from 0.46875 to 3.75 mg mL-1 and the lowest MIC was recorded for ethylic acetate, acetonic extracts and AMB at 0.46875 mg mL-1. The ethylic acetate extract showed the lowest MFC value (0.9375 mg mL-1), followed by butanolic extract (3.125 mg mL-1). These results indicate that J. regia L. bark extracts can contain compounds with therapeutic potential against oral C. albicans and, hence, their possible use as therapeutic agents for oral candidiasis
Morphological, physiological and anatomical traits in durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf.) as affected by semi-arid conditions
No full textDurum wheat (Triticum durum Desf.) is one of Algeria\u27s primary cereal crops. Although the areas reserved for this species are estimated at approximately 40%, the production remains low to meet national grain requirements. This shortfall is primarily due to the impact of biotic and abiotic stresses, particularly drought, which significantly limit wheat yields. For that, this study assessed the behavior of five genotypes of durum wheat (Waha, Acsad1361, Vitron, Oued Zenati and Langlois) under water stress conditions. The experiment was carried out in Tiaret (Western Algeria). The studied parameters are morpho-physiological and anatomical of the flag leaf. The obtained results showed that the water deficit greatly affected the dimensions of the plant and triggered a decrease in the water content. Structural modifications due to cellular resizing of the structural constituents of the last leaf, reflected by variations in the rate of the outer epidermal wall thickness and reductions of leaf mesophiles. These modifications remain effective in maintaining the hydration of the aerial part by limiting water loss and increasing the hydraulic resistance of the leaves. According to this study, it seems that an inter-varietal difference has been highlighted. However, a genetic cross is recommended to combine the maximum number of resistant genes into a single variety. This strategy is considered as an effective solution for mitigating the effects of abiotic stresses, especially in semi-arid regions
Effect of unconventional waters irrigation on some morphological and physiological parameters of barley
No full textA test on a variety of barley “Fouara” was carried out to verify the effects of treated wastewater on some physio-morphological parameters of this plant. Two different types of irrigation were chosen, one using treated wastewater from the Ain Beida wastewater treatment plant, and the other, ordinary water serving as a control. The physicochemical results of the treated wastewater showed, in particular, the EC, NH4, NO3 and the DCO/DB05 ratio do not exceed the admissible standards when they reach their maximum values The physio-morphological parameters of barley respond positively to the use of this water; represented by the two averages of the \u27sugar\u27 parameter which shows a clear difference depending on the water category (T and S) or the control individuals express an average (0.055) significantly lower than that of the S individuals (0.847). We note that significant values of the positive correlation coefficient of r=0.812 between the two parameters TRE and SF, therefore there is an association between these two factors. But negative for the TRE and PSF (r = -0.722). This means that the values of the two parameters do not evolve in the same direction. The factors \u27sugar\u27 and \u27chlorophyll b\u27 present the best correlation, they better represent the six individuals and the proline contents are higher in the treated plants
Improvement of the antioxidant potential: impact of drying and extraction techniques on polyphenols in Arbutus unedo L. leaf aqueous extract
No full textThe search for alternatives to chemical pharmaceutical products remains an urgent and crucial step for humanity. In this regard, the use of plants presents an ideal approach for such biological studies. Arbutus unedo L., which belongs to the family Ericaceae, is one of the species that holds significant importance in traditional pharmaceutical uses. In Algeria, the use of this species in traditional treatment is generally rare. Therefore, this study aims to highlight its medicinal importance and the proper method for extracting its bioactive elements. To achieve this, the biological activity of leaves including total phenolic content (TPC), DPPH assay, and total flavonoid content (TFC), were assessed under four different drying temperatures (shade-drying, sun-drying, 40°C and 60C°) and two extraction methods after maceration (centrifugation, filtration). The results have indicated that these processes have affected the final accumulation of polyphenols and antioxidant activity in the leaf extracts. Additionally, it has been highlighted that the centrifugation method extracts a higher biochemical amount, especially after drying at 40°C. Furthermore, Arbutus unedo L. leaves should be considered a promising source of natural compounds to be used as ingredients in various fields
Bio-treatment of Cheese Whey by Black Soldier Fly Larvae (Hermetia illucens) reared in Algeria
No full textWhey, a by-product of cheese industry, poses environmental challenges when discharged untreated. This study aimed to mitigate whey pollution and transform it into value-added products using black soldier fly larvae (BSFL). By investigating whey effects on BSFL growth and performance, an innovative waste management strategy was explored. The five-old-day larvae were fed with four diets; dry spent coffee ground (SCG) as the control diet, while SCG wetted with acid, sweet and fermented whey were the test diets. The results showed that whey types increased significantly (p < 0.05) BSFL growth compared to the control, the dry weight (53.83±0.49 Vs 25.10±0.18 mg/larva), growth rate (1.59±0.06 Vs 0.44±0.01 mg/day) and survival rate (78.83±1.25 Vs 68.50±1.5 %) of larvae and reduced their development time (28.00±01 Vs 37.00±01 day). Furthermore, mixing SCG diet with whey enhanced positively their performance by increasing the waste reduction (26.73±0.81 Vs 16.87±0.37 %), waste reduction index (0.85±0.03 Vs 0.45±0.01 %/day), approximate digestibility (36.49±1.52 Vs 20.29±0.53 %) and bioconversion rate (17.94±0.47 Vs11.65±0.52%). Adding whey to SCG diet increased protein content of BSFL (40.11% vs. 34.18%) and reduced fat (36.06 vs. 37.87 %) in dry mass. Whey also improved the composition of frass by increasing the phosphorus and total nitrogen levels. This approach demonstrates a sustainable solution for dairy industries waste, contributing to the circular economy and offering potential applications in animal feed and fertilizer production
Influence of pH on bioplastic production from Sweet Potato Starch (Ipomea batatas L.)
No full textScientists are exploring biodegradable bioplastic polymers as alternatives to traditional plastics to address environmental concerns. Bioplastics are derived from renewable materials such as starch, vegetable oils, and other organic sources. This study specifically focuses on using sweet potatoes to produce a bioplastic. Sweet potatoes are a versatile and nutritious crop that is widely grown around the world. The roots of sweet potatoes contain starch, which makes up a significant part of their composition. Starch is a valuable food source with industrial uses, including as a carrier medium for various substances in the food and pharmaceutical industries. The research was conducted in the Souf region of the Algerian Sahara, where sweet potato starch is obtained through a multi-step process that includes washing, peeling, filtering, and drying. This starch (5g) is mixed with 50 ml of water, hydrochloric acid, and glycerol (5 ml), then heated and dried to create bioplastics. The results show that the starch yield from sweet potatoes varies depending on the pH of the extraction medium, with the highest yield being achieved with a neutral medium (7.6±1.72 g). This study also investigates the potential of recycling industrial food waste, lovely potato peelings, for the production of bioplastics. It highlights the importance of pH in starch extraction and its subsequent use in bioplastics production, highlights environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional plastics, and contributes to the ongoing efforts to reduce plastic waste and pollution