Moroccan Journal of Agricultural Sciences
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Growth, yield and fibre quality of kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) varieties as influenced by biochar
Full text linkA study on growth, yield and fibre quality of kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) varieties as influenced by biochar was conducted to determine optimum rate of biochar for better quality of kenaf fibres. The experiment was conducted during the 2023 cropping season at two locations; Faculty of Agriculture Research Farm, Federal University Dutse and Bauchi State University, Gadau. The experiments were laid in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Biochar was applied at 5 and 10 tons/ha and incorporated into ridges at sowing. The results showed that biochar applied at the rate of 10 tons/ha had higher plant height (147.5 cm and 137.5 cm), number of leaves (119.6 and 118.5), fibre yield per plant (923 g and 839 g), fibre yield per hectare (5.50 t/ha and 4.68 t/ha) and dry weight of leaves (158.4 g and 161.9 g) respectively in Dutse and Gadau. Kenaf white variety (yar fara) had higher plant height (166.6 g and 137.6 g), number of leaves (116.9 g and 114.8 g) and attained 50 % flowering earlier than black variety (yar baka). Higher leaves fresh weight (360 and 357 g), dry weight of leaves (155 and 157 g), fibre yield per plant (911 g and 825 g) and fibre yield per hectare (5.29 t/ha and 4.79 t/ha) were obtained from the black kenaf variety (yar baka) respectively in Dutse and Gadau. Biochar rates did not show any significant effect on moisture content and dry matter content. Application of 10 tons/ha biochar is recommended for production of maximum kenaf quality in the study area.
Keywords: Biochar, kenaf, optimum rate, variety, fibr
Prevalence and diversity of gastrointestinal parasites in primates at the JACK Sanctuary, Democratic Republic of Congo
Full text linkThis study was conducted from April to July 2024 at the JACK Sanctuary in Lubumbashi (DRC), to determine the prevalence and diversity of gastrointestinal parasites among resident primates. A total of 150 fecal samples were collected from a population of 241 primates (45 chimpanzees and 196 other primates of different species). Coprological analyses, performed using direct examination and flotation techniques, revealed the presence of five parasite species: Balantidium coli: 26/150 (17.3%), Strongyloides stercoralis: 16/150 (10.7%), Trichuris trichiura: 8/150 (5.3%), Ascaris lumbricoides: 3/150 (2.0%), and Capillaria hepatica: 1/150 (0.67%). The results highlight a higher prevalence of protozoa compared to nematodes, underscoring the need to strengthen hygiene measures, implement regular veterinary monitoring, and adopt rational antiparasitic use to limit transmission and prevent resistance.
Keywords: Primates, gastrointestinal parasites, prevalence, JACK Sanctuary, Democratic Republic of Cong
Dissemination pathways and impacts of low-carbon technologies on yields among Sawah rice farmers in Nigeria
Full text linkThe activities related to dissemination pathways and impacts of low-carbon technologies on anthropogenic emissions among Sawah rice farmers in Nigeria were described. It shows that many practices associated with sawah technology can be categorized as low-carbon technology which is unwittingly adopted by rice farmers. Water management, alternate wetting and drying, rice intensification, planting green manure during the fallow season, and optimising fertiliser management practices are some of the sawah technology's features that are fully compatible with low-carbon technologies, while other features are only partially compatible. In terms of the mitigation potentials, Biochar, zero-waste systems of farming, and fertilization in double rice-cropping systems recorded the highest mitigation potentials with 7.24 to 8.43 t CO2‑eq ha−1, 6.1−11.1 t CO2-eq ha−1, and 4.1 t CO2 e ha−1 yr−1 respectively. The prominent pathways for dissemination are On-farm demonstrations and field days, farmer- to farmer, and expansion strategy for Sawah Eco Technology for rice farming. These practices have therefore established that sawah rice production technology contributes to the reduction of methane from rice fields and thus climate smart.
Keywords: Low-carbon technologies, yields, Sawah rice, mitigation, emissio
Combining ability and heterosis for flax straw and seed yield components
Full text linkFifteen crosses generated from six diverse parents in half diallel mating design were evaluated in 2020/2021 season to estimate combining ability and heterosis in flax for improving yield and its various components. The analysis of data showed that variance due to genotypes, parents and crosses were highly significant, indicating sufficient variability existed in populations. Variance of parents vs. crosses as an indication to average heterosis was significant for all the studied traits except technical length and fibre percentage traits. The analysis for combining ability illustrated significant variance due to both general combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) for all the studied traits, indicating presence of both additive and non-additive gene actions in the expression for these traits. GCA/SCA ratio was more than unity for all studied traits except number of basal branches and number of capsules/plant traits, indicating that additive gene effects were more important than non-additive gene effects for control the inheritance of these traits. S.620/1/3 (P1) was good combiner for all studied traits and Sakha 3 (P2) and Belinka (P3) were good combiners for most of the studied traits. Six crosses were the good combination for the most of the studied traits and particularly three crosses (S. 620/1/3 x Sakha 3, S. 620/1/3 x Belinka and S. 620/1/3 x Sozana) exhibited positive significant heterosis for most of the studied traits. Therefore, good combiners and best crosses combinations can be used for improvement of yield and their components in the programs of flax breeding.
Key words: Flax, combining ability, heterosis, gene actio
Content MJAS 6(3) September 2025
No full textContent MJAS 6(3) September 2025
Crop Production and Environment
Sabah M. ABO EL-KOMSAN, Combining ability and heterosis for flax straw and seed yield components
Nadir Ali BHANGAR, Correlation and path analysis in rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) genotypes under heat stress condition
Abd El-Hafeez ZOHRY, Samiha OUDA, Legume crops enhance water use efficiency under intercropping system with wheat
Animal Production and Health
Ibrahim ADAMOU KARIMOU, Hamsatou BOUBACAR MAITOURARE, Hamani MARICHATOU, Moumouni ISSA, Prevalence and risk factors for gastrointestinal parasitosis of small ruminants at the end of the rainy season in peri-urban livestock farms in Tahoua, Niger
Rim REGRAGUI, Mohamed OUKESSOU, Nadia TOUIL, Khalid BOUZOUBAA, Siham FELLAHI, Therapeutic potential of natural plant substances for the control of avian infectious bronchitis virus
Crop Protection
Yahuza LURWANU , Khadeejah Sulaiman MUHD, In vitro evaluation of some plant extracts for the management of Alternaria solani causing early blight of tomato
Agricultural and Rural Economics
Sanusi Mohammed SADIQ, I.P SINGH, M.M AHMAD, B.S SANI, C.U OKOROAFOR, Agri-Fintech solutions for youth: Developing financial products tailored for young Nigerian farmers
Sanusi Mohammed SADIQ, I.P SINGH, M.M. AHMAD, B.S SANI, Women and carbon farming cooperatives: A model for climate-smart agriculture
Sanusi Mohammed SADIQ, I.P SINGH, M.M AHMAD, B.S SANI, Mechanization and Extension Services in the Era of Buharinomics: Myth or Momentum?
Nutrition and Food Technology
Kawtar FARIH, Alexander LUNGOWE , Majid MOUNIR, Biotechnological valorization of citrus sorting rejects into bioethanol and acetic acid using indigenous microorganisms in Morocc
Gender-responsive approaches to carbon farming for sustainable development
Full text linkThis review explores the nexus between gender responsiveness and carbon farming as pathways to achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs). While carbon farming is gaining prominence as a tool for climate mitigation through carbon sequestration, it is often implemented without acknowledging gender disparities that hinder equitable participation. This article draws on recent empirical studies and policy analyses to review frameworks and practices that integrate gender into carbon farming. It evaluates how such approaches enhance both the effectiveness of carbon farming and the socio-economic resilience of marginalized groups, particularly rural women. The findings underscore the transformative potential of inclusive, gender-smart climate solutions to accelerate both ecological and human development agendas.
Keywords: Agriculture, Climate-smart, Development, Gender, Sustainabl
Experimental models and tools in animal research: From classical approaches to emerging trends
Full text linkFrom invertebrates like fruit flies to vertebrates such as mice and aquatic organisms, animal models have long been central to biological discovery. Despite ethical debates and growing regulatory constraints, animal research remains a cornerstone for understanding pathophysiology and developing new therapies for both humans and animals. Significant advances have refined these models, improving their relevance in scientific research and experimental education. However, the emergence of innovative systems, including computer simulations, organ-on-a-chip technologies, and genetically modified organisms, offers promising alternatives that can complement or, in some cases, replace animal experimentation. These tools accelerate scientific progress, enhance educational training, and improve the translation of results to human biology. Yet, systematic reviews have revealed discrepancies between animal and human responses, calling into question the predictive validity of traditional models. This ongoing debate highlights the need for a balanced integration of classical and emerging approaches to strengthen scientific reliability, educational value, and ethical standards. This review aims to provide an overview of experimental models, contrasting classical and novel systems, and to discuss their applications, limitations, and the evolving regulatory frameworks that guide their use in modern research and education.
Keywords: Animal models- Education- Animal research- Emerging models- Classical models- Animal Ethic
Tunisian goat population: An untapped genetic resource for resilient livestock systems
Full text linkThe indigenous Tunisian goat, known as the "Arbi" breed, represents a critical yet underutilized genetic resource for building climate-resilient livestock systems in North Africa. Shaped by a unique history of domestication, policy-driven population fluctuations, and adaptation to harsh environments, this breed has developed exceptional traits for heat tolerance, drought resistance, and disease resilience. However, the sector faces significant challenges, including feed scarcity, harsh climates, and a threat to genetic integrity from uncontrolled crossbreeding with exotic breeds. This review synthesizes existing knowledge to highlight the value of the Tunisian goat population by: (1) tracing its historical and political context, (2) characterizing its diverse genotypes and distribution, (3) detailing its unique adaptive traits, (4) analyzing production trends, and (5) discussing major constraints. We conclude that the local "Arbi" goat is an untapped genetic reservoir, and its conservation and structured improvement are paramount for enhancing the sustainability and resilience of pastoral and agro-pastoral livelihoods in Tunisia and analogous regions.
Keywords: Tunisian Goat, Arbi Breed, Genetic Resources, Climate Resilience, Adaptatio
Productivity of Chia crop in the sandy soils of East Delta, Egypt
Full text linkChia (Salvia hispanica L.) crop is a newly introduced herbaceous plant to the Egyptian cropping system. No information is available on water requirements of chia crop under Egyptian conditions. A field experiment was conducted to determine the effect of irrigation treatments (IFarmer, IGrowth-stage, I120%ETo, I100%ETo, I80%ETo, and I60%ETo) on chia seed yield, plant height, total carbohydrates, total protein, total oil content, seed's nutrients, applied irrigation water (AIW), water productivity (WP), and yield response factor (Ky). Results showed significant effect of the irrigation treatments on all tested parameters. Average AIW values for the respective treatments were 8036 m3/ha, 7492 m3/ha, 6081 m3/ha, 5228 m3/ha, 4376 m3/ha and 3523 m3/ha. The highest average seed yield of 3.15 t/ha was recorded for I120%ETo treatment, while the lowest value of 2.00 t/ha was recorded for the I60%ETo treatment. The highest WP of 0.598 kg/m3 was recorded for I80%ETo. The Ky value of 0.78 was obtained. Therefore, applying appropriate agronomic management (e.g. proper amounts of irrigation water, and fertilizers through drip-fertigation technique) can achieve high chia seed yields. In case of water shortage, applying appropriate agricultural practices and I80%ETo can save 46% (3660 m3/ha) of AIW without significant reduction in seed yield.
Keywords: Chia, Applied irrigation water, water productivity, yield response factor, carbohydrates, protein, oil content, Egyp