Moroccan Journal of Agricultural Sciences
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Preliminary evaluation of the status of olive-infecting viruses in Morocco
Get PDFOlive is one of the most ancient and important fruit tree crops in Morocco. Olive trees are affected by at least 15 viruses belonging to eight genera. Most of these viruses were isolated from symptomless trees and/or reported in a very limited number of trees. In order to check for the presence of olive-infecting viruses in Morocco, a preliminary survey was conducted during March-April 2014 and a total of 105 samples (cv. Picholine marocaine) were randomly collected from 15 commercial orchards located in three important olive-growing regions: Béni Mellal, Marrakech and Meknès. Samples were tested by RT-PCR, using specific primers, to search for the presence of eight olive viruses: Olive latent virus 1 (OLV-1), Olive latent virus 2 (OLV-2), Strawberry latent ringspot virus (SLRSV), Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), Arabis mosaic virus (ArMV), Cherry leaf roll virus (CLRV), Olive latent ringspot virus (OLRSV) and Olive leaf yellowing-associated virus (OLYaV). About one third (34.3%) of the trees were infected. In particular, the closterovirus OLYaV was the most widespread, as it was detected in 16.2% of the samples, followed by the necrovirus OLV-1 (8.6%), the oleavirus OLV-2 (3.8%), the cucumovirus CMV (2.8%), the sadwavirus SLRV (1.9%), and the nepovirus ArMV (0.9%). The fact that these infections are mostly latent and the increasing of national demand for propagation material of high sanitary standard call for the implementation of a cleanup using both heat therapy and in vitro propagation for the establishment of olive foundation blocks.
Key-words: Olive trees, olive-infecting viruses, Morocc
Sustainable intensive cropping to reduce irrigation-induced erosion: Changing cropping sequence under sprinkler irrigation practice
Get PDFThe objective of this paper was to evaluate the effect of four crops sequence (one conventional and three suggested) on the applied irrigation amount, the resulted yield and soil nitrogen percentage as indicators of the existence of soil loss. These crops sequences were: farmer’s crop sequence (FCS) and three crop sequences implemented using improved management practices (maize, clover then wheat (CS1); cowpea, clover then wheat (CS2) and cowpea intercropped with maize, clover then wheat (CS3). The results indicated that the applied water for wheat was respectively reduced by 16, 18 and 19% in CS1, CS2 and CS3 and yield was increased by 30, 55, and 43%, compared to the FCS. For maize, the applied water was reduced by 15% in CS1 and CS3 and yield was increased by 5 and 8%, respectively, compared to the FCS. The highest value of soil nitrogen percentage was obtained from cultivation of CS2, as a result of existence of cowpea and short season clover. In conclusion, optimizing the applied irrigation water to maize and wheat and increasing number of legume in the crop sequence can be one of the factors that improve soil water holding capacity and reduce soil loss
Nitrogen use efficiency in organic melon production under greenhouse conditions in South West of Morocco
Get PDFOrganic melon production under greenhouse condition is widespread in South West of Morocco. However, Organic melon producers are facing serious problems in optimizing nitrogen supply to the crop under greenhouse conditions due to the lack of scientific data on nitrogen use efficiency (NUE). Knowing that for an average yield of 60 T/Ha, melon nitrogen requirements are about 400 kg/Ha. In order to investigate NUE for the most common organic fertilizers used by farmers as compared to a mineral fertilizer (Tm) (20-20-20), an experiment was conducted in Souss Massa region using a randomized complete bloc design with four replicates. Organic nitrogen was applied as compost (Tc): (2.5-3-2.5), (TNPK): Eveilorga (7-4-7), (TNP+K): Altér Orga NP+ Patenkali (8-12-0) + (0-0-30) and (TN+P+K): 10-0-0+ phosphate (0-18-0)+ Patenkali (0-0-30). Nitrogen use efficiency was evaluated on four different parameters: Agronomic efficiency (AE, yield increase per unit of N applied) and physiological efficiency (PE, yield increase per unit of N uptake). Results showed that the form of organic nitrogen applied to the crop has a significant impact on biomass, yield and nitrogen use efficiency. The average yield with organic fertilizers was about 32 T/Ha as compared to the mineral fertilizer (29 T/Ha). Within the organic treatments, a significant difference in yield, AE, and PE were observed.
Keywords: Nitrogen use efficiency, Organic melon, Organic fertilizer, Agronomic efficienc
Effect of flour particle size on beta-glucan and polyphenol content of three Moroccan oat varieties
Get PDFFood industries have been increasingly interested in oat grain thanks to its bioactive compounds with confirmed functional properties. This study aims to explore the effect of oat flour particle size of 425 µm, 560 µm, 670 µm, 1000 µm, whole flour and bran on beta-glucan and polyphenol content. The six flour fractions from three Moroccan oat varieties, of which one is naked grain, were investigated. The three oat varieties have beta-glucan contents respectively of 4.08 %, 3.42 % and 2.49 % and polyphenols contents of 351.0, 360.7 and 560.1 µg EAG/g. Results showed high contents of these two compounds in the bran fraction and the fraction with a particle size smaller than 1000 µm and greater than 670 µm. The beta-glucan content showed the largest variation, from 6 % in both fractions to 1.3 % in the fraction with particles smaller than 425µm. Mastering the process of oat flour fractionation could generate quality dense oat fractions adapted to the manufacturers' requirements and investigating other fractionation protocols is highly recommended.
Keywords: oat, fractionation, particle size, beta-glucan, polyphenol
Evaluation of productivity, profitability and farmer’s adoption potential of direct seeding of lentils in Zaer region (Morocco)
Get PDFMorocco is increasingly confronted with drought effects on crop production as 93% of the country is semi-arid. To mitigate the effects water scarcity on agricultural production, farmers should combine all available production technologies and practices to produce more food per cubic meter of water. Direct seeding or no till is one of those practices. The objectives of this study is to (1) evaluate direct seeding technology on lentil productivity and profitability in the Zaer region and (2) assess with farmers the ease of implementation and adoption of direct seeding technology of lentils. Two sets of farmer’s lentil fields, one under direct seeding and the other under conventional cultivation, were compared for their productivity during the 2015 season. In addition, 80 lentil farmers from Brachwa, Ain-Sbit and Merchouch regions, were surveyed to get their experience with lentil direct seeding and their prospects for its adoption for the coming years. The main four sections of the survey questionnaire are (1) information about the farmer and the farm, (2) cultivation practices of lentil production, (3) economics of lentil production and (4) farmer attitude toward the technology of lentil direct seeding. Results from on farm trials, comparing conventional and direct seeding of lentils, and from a survey of 80 lentil fields showed that for this year, direct seeding is not superior to conventional cultivation in either grain yield or profitability. The average yields obtained in direct seeding lentil cultivation vary from 0.40 to 1.35 t/ha and those from conventional lentil cultivation vary from 0.40 to 1.50 t/ha. Lentil production charges are on average about 5300 DH/ha, with no significant difference between conventional and direct seeding systems. Weed control and harvest are the two operations that dominate production charges of lentils, in either conventional or direct seeding system. They respectively represent 30% and 23% of total production charges. Regarding adoption of lentil direct seeding technology, 33% of farmers think that they will adopt it while the remaining 67% are not yet ready for adoption.
Keywords: direct seeding, conservation agriculture, lentil, morocco, adoptio
Mapping the risk of soil erosion using RUSLE, GIS and remote sensing: a case study of Zou watershed in central Benin
Get PDFBeing aware that soil erosion is one of the major environmental problems of the 21st century, this research integrates the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) with a Geographic Information System (GIS) to assess erosion risk on Zou watershed in the centre Benin. RUSLE factor values (rain erosivity, soil erodibility, slope length and steepness, cover and support practices) for the study area were determined and spatialized. The rain erosivity (R-factor) was estimated based on the daily rainfall data from five rain gauges installed in the watershed. The slope length and steepness (LS-factor) were extracted from the Digital Elevation Model of the watershed. The soil erodibility (K-factor) calculation was based on the percentage of fine sand, silt, clay and organic matter in the soil as well as the water infiltration rate. 120 representative sampling points were taken into account in the different soil-mapping units of the watershed. The land cover factor (C factor) estimation was based on the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI). The NDVI was calculated from a 30 m resolution Landsat-8 image. The adopted support practices on the watershed were investigated. The values of the P factor were attributed to each practice based on literature review. Data sets for the RUSLE factors, along with associated maps showing geographic distributions, were established on ArcGIS. ArcGIS was used to interactively calculate soil loss and map the erosion risk. The mean R-factor value was 915 MJ.mm.ha-1.year-1. The spatial distribution of the C-factor showed that 81.0% of the surface has low protection, 8.6% has medium protection and 11.0% had from good to very good protection against water erosion. The LS-factor value ranged from 0 to 39 in the watershed. The mean soil erodibility is 0.15 t.h.MJ-1.mm-1 over the watershed. The average erosion, for the watershed is 16.2 t.ha-1.year-1 which corresponds to a very high vulnerability level. The watershed area affected by low, moderate, high and very high erosion risk are respectively 3.1%, 22.4%, 22.9% and 51.6%. However, most of the eroded soil is from the area with low vegetation cover, high soil erodibility and with moderate and Gentle undulating. The findings of this study could constitute a baseline for any future development of the watershed.
Keywords: Soil Erosion, USLE, GIS, Zoo Watershed, Beni
Safeguarding of Benin wild pigs habitats to increase the resilience of spontaneous and marginal populations
Get PDFThe Red river hogs and the Common warthog are privileged game, quite prolific and their habitats are undergoing quite a bit of modification due to human activities. The phyto-ecological characterization of their habitats in South Benin has been carried out in their current range distribution. The Braun-Blanquet sigmatist method was used to carry out inventories in 70 phytosociological surveys taking into account the floristic community strata and anthropo-environmental data were collected following occurrence indices. A total of 184 plant species were enumerated and reduced to a Detrended Correspondence Analysis while a Hierarchical Ascending Classification was carried out to form ecological groups. After the diversity indices, the ecological spectra were produced and a linear model with a proportion test was performed. Low values of Shannon diversity indices (0-0.4 bits), Pielou Equitability (0-0.1) and Simpson index (0-0.01) and an ecological dissimilarity of habitats were observed in their communities. They are more fond of the herbaceous-arbustive groups but the ecological preference of red river hog, contrary to the common warthog, is marshy to semi-aquatic. It is fundamental to propose a master plan for reconversion, restoration of degraded habitats, review land use policies and evaluate these suids Average Daily Gain (ADG).
Keywords: Benin, domestication, habitats, Suids, threat
In vitro ruminal fermentation, nutritional evaluation and antioxidant activity of some forest shrubs of North West Tunisia for goats
Get PDFChemical composition and characteristics of in vitro fermentation were determined for two shrubs (Genista aspalathoides and Rhamnus alaternus) collected from north western Tunisia. The primary and secondary chemical composition was determined and in vitro fermentation parameters were measured in 100 ml glass syringes for 48 hours to determine gas production. There are significant differences in chemical and wall composition for the two shrubs studied (p < 0.05). Rhamnus alaternus is richer in secondary metabolites (59.2 mg GAE / g DM) than Genista aspalathoides and has the highest content of crude protein (CP). Genista aspalathoides had the lowest anti-radical activity since it has the highest levels of secondary metabolites, so it is the most digestible species with the highest value of gas production after 24 hours incubation and released more methane than Rhamnus alaternus.
Keywords: Shrub, Chemical composition, in vitro fermentation, antioxidant activity, methan
Chickpea genetic improvement in Morocco: State of the art, progress and prospects
Get PDFoai:ojs.pkp.sfu.ca:article/815Chickpea is the second major food legume in Morocco. Compared to spring type, winter type is more adapted to semi-arid rainfed areas, escaping the frequent end-cycle drought and heat stresses. The winter chickpea breeding program of INRA Morocco aims to develop and release varieties that are well adapted to different agro-ecological areas, with high yield potential, resistant to Ascochyta blight and others diseases and pests prevalent in the target areas. Tolerance to drought and ability for mechanized harvesting are also other important objectives. Other traits, related to seed quality, such as large seed size, cooking time and high nutritional value, are also being introduced in the breeding program. Since 1994, seven winter chickpea varieties were released and registered by the breeding program. Those new high yielding varieties are resistant to Aschochyta blight. However, seed increase and marketing are still needed to make these varieties available to farmers.
Keywords: chickpea, genetic improvement, varieties, Morocc
Agro-morphological and quality attributes of Moroccan carob
Get PDFIn Morocco, the carob tree is currently enjoying renewed interest with the introduction of a local development strategy based on the development of this resource. Sixty accessions of carob fruits from four regions in northern and southern Morocco are studied for phenotypic and physico-chemical criteria of pods. The phenotypic characterization of the fruits showed that the Chaouen region (north) is characterized by long (13.3 cm), wide (2.02 cm), thick (0.72 cm) and heavy (13.0 g) pods, a high pulp weight (10.8 g) and the lowest seed yield. The southern regions (Beni Mellal and Tafraout) are characterized by relatively short pods with high seed yield. The physico-chemical analysis of the pulp showed a significant variation between the studied regions, ranging from 35.3 to 51.5 % for total sugars, 5.3 to 11.3 % for polyphenols and 11.1 to 14.2 % for total fibers. The three minerals investigated (Fe, Ca, Mg) were detected in all carob samples, mainly in Tafraout, and their contents vary from one region to another.
Keywords: Morocco, Ceratonia siliqua L, pod, morphological characterization, chemical features, pul