Moroccan Journal of Agricultural Sciences
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Canine cardiopulmonary nematodes in Morocco: Prevalence of Dirofilaria immitis and report of the first autochthonous infection with Angiostrongylus vasorum
Get PDFDirofilaria immitis and Angiostrongylus vasorum are two of the most important, life-threatening cardiopulmonary nematodes affecting dogs. This study aimed to determine the current prevalence of D. immitis and to investigate, for the first time in Morocco, the occurrence of A. vasorum in dogs. Two hundred and thirteen blood and 291 fecal samples were collected from Moroccan dogs. Blood samples were examined using both the modified Knott’s test and the in-clinic enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, whereas fecal samples were examined using the Baermann technique. Fecal analysis revealed the presence of A. vasorum larva in one sample. This was the first reported case in a dog from Morocco. We believe that these preliminary results are of great interest to veterinary practitioners in Morocco, suggesting that veterinarians should consider D. immitis, but also A. vasorum in their differential diagnosis, and should perform regular screenings for these parasites.
Keywords: Cardiopulmonary nematodes, Dirofilaria immitis, Angiostrongylus vasorum, Dogs, Morocc
Phenotypical characteristics and genetic diversity of three types of sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] cultivated in Burkina Faso based on qualitative traits
Get PDFThe objective of this study is to compare the genetic diversity of sweet grain sorghum with grain sorghum and sweet sorghum using qualitative agro-morphological traits in order to identify its phenotypical specific traits. Forty-two genotypes of the three types of sorghum were evaluated using a three-repeat Incomplete Fisher Block device using 15 qualitative characters. The results showed a lack of variability in ten sweet grain sorghum traits that resulted in zero Shannon-Weaver diversity indices. However, the type of panicle, the color of the grain, the cover of the grain, the appearance of the endosperm and the botanical race make it possible to clearly distinguish sweet grain sorghum from the other two cultivated sorghums. Indeed, sorghum sweet grain usually has a loose panicle, floury and red grains that are covered at most on 50% by glumes and often belongs to the caudatum breed. These results could be used in sorghum breeding program.
Keywords: Sorghum, genetic variability, genetic relationship, Burkina Fas
Phytochemical profile and antioxidant properties of essential oils isolated from the aerial parts of Rosmarinus officinalis L. cultivated in Northwestern of Tunisia
Get PDFThe present study aims to study chemical composition and antioxidant capacity of the essential oils isolated from the aerial parts of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) cultivated in northwestern of Tunisia. Chemical composition of isolated rosemary essential oil was determined by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Antioxidant activities were determined in vitro using DPPH and ABTS assays. In this research, we identified 31 chemical compounds of the studied rosemary essential oil, and the main constituents were 1,8-cineole (20.07), eucalyptol (18.87), caryophyllene (9.49%), ?-pinene (8.52%), ?-thujone (7.42%) and ledol (6.39). We also showed that Rosmarinus officinalis Essential Oil (ROEO) present an important RSA (Radical Scavenging Activity) against DPPH and ABTS but lesser than BHT, used as reference antioxidant molecule. In conclusion we suggest that the proportion of monoterpenes present in the essential oil obtained from R. officinalis may be among the active principles responsible for the antioxidant activity shown in vitro by ROEO.
Keywords: Rosmarinus officinalis, essential oils, phytochemical composition, antioxidant activitie
Managing Spider Mites in corn: A review
Get PDFCorn is one of the three most important cereal crops in the world. The mites that attack maize belong to the family Tetranychidae, and the species Tetranychus urticae. Koch TSM and Oligonychus pratensis BGM (primary pests of cereals) are particularly formidable. Although high populations of spider mites frequently cause significant damage to corn (grain, silage, and sweet), the level of economic loss varies from season to season. Several factors influence population dynamics from year to year, including temperature, humidity, precipitation, soil type, pesticide applications, proximity to the host, and natural enemies. High temperatures and drought stress usually accelerate the accumulation process of high mite populations. This is compounded by the application of neonicotinoid pesticides, dust accumulation on corn leaves, and sandy soils as these soils are typically drought stressed, even with irrigation. Mites are responsible for severe yield losses of up to 40% of dry matter for silage. With the extensive and unsustainable use of pesticides, including acaricides and insecticides, management of mites currently commercially available miticides has become increasingly difficult, as these arthropods have developed resistance to over 95 active ingredients. The use of drought-tolerant corn plants can help reduce spider mite outbreaks and losses associated with these pests. Natural enemies, including predatory mites of the phytoseiidae family (Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias, Neoseiulus californicus), thrips (Scolothrips sexmaculatus), the tiny pirate bug (Orius sp), and the small black lady beetle (Stethorus punctillum) can keep spider mite numbers below the economic damage threshold. However, the effectiveness of these natural enemies is reduced by hot, low humidity conditions, pesticide use and dust accumulation on leaves. Proper irrigation can help reduce the risk of plant drought and the environment in which spider mites thrive. Eliminating alternate hosts for grasses can reduce their population potential. These biological and cultural control practices can be beneficial but often unreliable, which is why spider mite management on corn relies heavily on synthetic chemicals. New active ingredients such as etoxazole, dimethoate and fenpyroximate have been recentlyintroduced in the market to control spider mites more effectively. Preventive treatments at the beginning of the season can bring significant economic advantage. This effectiveness is greatly enhanced by aerial treatments. Electrostatic nozzles, for example, have been shown to be 3 times more effective than conventional hydraulic nozzles in controlling corn spider mites.
Keywords: Phytophagous mites, maize, natural enemies, synthetic chemicals, aerial treatmen
Life cycle assessment of Co-culture of Clarias gariepinus and Oreochromis niloticus in the whedos of Ouémé delta in Benin
Get PDFThe development of the fish farming with regard to environmental sustainability is nowadays a serious alternative to satisfy the needs of the population in quality animal protein and to reduce imports in Benin. In this study we assessed the environmental impacts of co-culture of Clarias gariepinus and Oreochromis niloticus systems in the whedos of Ouémé delta in Benin. Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) which is a systemic method that assesses all potential environmental impacts of global and regional product, service, company or process has been used according to the CML baseline 2000 method. However, that method was adapted for fish farming system. The estimation of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) wastes in production systems (T1: imported feed, T2: local feed and T3: mixed feed), was performed according to the nutritional balance method; and calculation of impact categories was conducted with environmental analysis software, SimaPro ® 8.0.5.13. For all the environmental impact category considered (non-renewable energy, climate change, eutrophication, freshwater ecotoxicity, terrestrial ecotoxicity and potential acidification), the T1 system recorded the lowest values of impacts compared to T2 and T3. Except the eutrophication dominated by the production process, the feed production process is the major contributor of other impact categories. To optimize fish productivity and sustainability of fish farming, the T1 system would be advisable.
Keywords: Life Cycle Assessment, happa, Ouémé, fish farming, whedo
Morphological characterization of yam varietal group "Pémonon" of D. cayeninsis-rotundata species in Burkina Faso
Get PDFThe present study described fifteen (15) cultivars of yams of the varietal group "Pémonon" cultivated in Burkina Faso. Twenty-seven (27) qualitative characters, ten (10) from the stems, nine (9) from the leaves, five (5) from the tubers and three (3) from the flowers were used to characterize the collection. The expeimental design was Randomized Complete Block Design replicated three times. The experiment was carried out during 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 seasons at the village of Onliassan, in the province of Sissili. The study showed a large phenotypical diversity. These collected qualitative data allowed to classify these cultivars into the complex of D. cayeninsis-rotundata species and to identify new nine (9) cultivars.
Keywords: Cultivars, D. cayeninsis rotundata, morphotypes, yams, Burkina Fas
Spatial and temporal characterization of water quality of the N'djili River in Kinshasa
Get PDFThe overall objective of this study was to conduct a spatio-temporal characterization of the water quality of the N'djili River in Kinshasa through the evaluation of its physical, chemical and bacteriological parameters. Data was collected during the months of September and November 2019. The evaluation of physical parameters (pH, temperature (°C), conductivity (µS/cm), turbidity (ppm) and transparency (cm) of the water was carried out in situ. The chemical parameters (dissolved oxygen (mg/L), nitrates (mg/L), nitrites (mg/L), phosphates (mg/L), suspended solids (mg/L), oxidizable solids (mg/L), BOD5 (mg/L), COD (mg/L)) and bacteriological parameters were analyzed at the Central Laboratory located in the commune of Limete in Kinshasa. The results showed that the physical, chemical and bacteriological quality of the N'djili River water varies according to site and sampling period. In general, water of this river is more loaded during rainy periods and the Lukaya river basin, the urban drainage network and the houses in the catchment areas bring pollutants into this river. Microbiological analyses showed that the more the N'djili River crosses inhabited areas, the more it is overloaded with germs. The high density of total coliforms and Escherichia coli in the water of the N'djili River confirms the contamination of the water of this river by human and animal faecal matter.
Keywords: Quality, river water, contamination, N'djili, Kinshas
Impacts of forest pests on wood production in Khaya senegalensis plantations established in three climatic regions of Benin
Get PDFEmpirical data reporting forest pest damage on Khaya senegalensis have raised concerns over their potential economic impacts. Although the problem was also reported in Benin, scientific data on their economic impact on plantations are lacking. In this study, we combined dendrometry and survey data to estimate the economic impact of wood damage caused by pests in K. senegalensis plantations in Benin. We found that four major pest guilds cause damage to the plantations with severe wood production loss. Wood borers are the most economically damaging guild, mainly in mature plantations, while shoot borers and defoliators predispose trunks to bifurcation and deformation in young plantations. We estimated damage to 8.3 ± 5.4 m3 ha-1 of wood production, corresponding to an economic loss of 825.5 ± 635.4 USD ha-1. Our findings suggest that pest management in K. senegalensis plantation should focus on the developmental stages and ecological interactions between host and pest to reduce the economic impacts of wood damage.
Keywords: African mahogany, Major pest, Destruction of wood, Economic impac
Moroccan seaweed polysaccharides elicit defense response and induce protection against Botrytis cinerea in tomato plants
Get PDFEight Polysaccharides Enriched Extracts (PEEs) obtained from Moroccan seaweeds were selected to test their effectiveness on the natural defense of tomato plants. Firstly, we examined the effect of the 8 PEEs at 4 concentrations (0.02, 0.05, 0.1 and 0.2 mg. mL-1) with 3 application methods (T1: root irrigation, T2: foliar spray, and T3: combining the 2 methods T1 and T2) on protein content and plant defense enzyme: Phenylalanine Ammonia-lyase (PAL) on tomato plants in absence of a pathogen. In the second part, we analyzed the ability of PEEs to induce protection against Botrytis cinerea, causative agent of gray mold, by testing PEEs on detached tomato leaves. Results showed that the PEEs obtained from Codium tomentosum, Ulva rigida, and Bifurcaria bifurcata at 0.1 mg. mL-1 and Gelidium crinale, Schizymenia dubyi and Fucus spiralis at 0.02 mg. mL-1 were the best treatments that significantly stimulated protein content and PAL activity in tomato plants with the three application methods. The same extracts at the same concentrations, in addition of PEEs from G. pistillata at 0.02 mg. mL-1 were the treatments having the greatest inhibitory effect on the diameter lesion of B. cinerea in detached leaves when compared to the control. The principal component analysis showed a correlation between PAL content and the reduction of diameter lesion. The comparison of the application method in our study did not show differences. These findings confirmed that these algal polysaccharides treatments could be a promising method to reduce dependency on synthetic fungicides. The presence of uronic acid and sulfated groups in the extracts could explain the elicitation mechanism induced in plant cells.
Keywords: Tomato plants; PEEs; seaweeds; plant defense, PAL, Botrytis cinere