Moroccan Journal of Agricultural Sciences
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Retrospective study of respiratory diseases in working equids in Morocco: 2018 – 2023
Full text linkVery few countries have investigated respiratory diseases in working equids, despite their significant impact on the health and well-being of these animals, and on the income of their owners. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of respiratory disorders in working horses, mules and donkeys examined between 2018 and 2023 at the five SPANA centres in Morocco according to species, region and season. The date of consultation, region, species and diagnosis based on the animal’s history and clinical examination were collected from 136,692 working equids. A significant difference was found between species regarding the prevalence of infectious respiratory diseases, specifically strangles, and severe equine asthma. Marrakech had the highest rates of total respiratory diseases and specifically non-infectious diseases, with a prevalence of 23.8% and 48.4% respectively. Furthermore, the prevalence of all respiratory diseases and non-infectious respiratory diseases in working equids was higher in Summer (14.1% and 29.1%, respectively), while the prevalence of infectious respiratory diseases was higher in Winter and Autumn (45.5% and 43.8%, respectively). In order to implement preventive measures and good husbandry practices, further investigations are needed to refine the diagnosis of respiratory disorders.
Key words: Donkeys, mules, region, respiratory diseases, season, working horse
Beyond Industrial Agriculture: A Case for Agroecology Adoption in Sefrou, Morocco's Semi Arid Region
Full text linkModern agricultural practices , reliant on chemicals and non-renewable resources, have harmed the environment, public health, and the economy. This study proposes agroecology as a sustainable alternative, emphasizing traditional agricultural wisdom over conventional methods. However, there is limited research on implementing agroecology for food security in semi-arid climates like Sefrou, in the Fez-Meknes region, Morocco. To address this, surveys of local sellers and farmers were conducted to identify challenges to food security, and interviews with agroecology experts were held to gather relevant practices and advice. Findings reveal that agroecological principles, such as permaculture, are adaptable even for small-scale farms, suggesting the feasibility of a holistic system that coexists harmoniously with the environment. The study highlights the need to educate the local population about sustainable agricultural approaches, emphasizing soil health, water conservation, biodiversity preservation, and the careful use of chemicals. By integrating insights from local stakeholders, farmers, and experts, the study provides valuable recommendations for promoting a sustainable agricultural paradigm in Morocco's semi-arid regions. This perspective aims to guide policymakers, farmers, and stakeholders toward an environmentally friendly and economically viable agricultural future.
Keywords: Agroecology, Morocco, Modern Farming Systems, Permaculture, and Pesticides
 
The Antibacterial effects and chicks quality response of copper nanoparticles of Japanese quail in hatching
Full text linkAn experiment was conducted to determine the effects of nano-copper at different levels (0, 14, 16 and 18 ppm named respectively as G1, G2, G3 and G4) as antibacterial against E. coli bacteria. Each group of 100 eggs was injected with E. coli bacteria (1 ml × 10-7) and was exposed to 38°C in the hatcher. Significant increase was observed in G1 for the E. coli and total count bacteria. There was significant improvement for G5 in abnormal chicks with significant improvement for G2, G3, and G4 in addled eggs, live pipped chicks and dead pipped chicks. Significant improvement was also observed for nano copper groups in activity, general situation, appearance and feather condition, case of yolk retracted inside the abdomen, navel case and residual yolk membrane. There was a significant decrease in cholesterol, glucose, and triglyceride for the G2, G3, and G4 groups and a significant increase for the G2 group in GSH. At the same time, a significant decrease in MDA in the G2 and G3 groups and a significant increase in AST enzyme for the G1 group were observed.
Keywords: Antibacterial, nanotechnology, copper, hatching, Japanese quai
Parasitic Capabilities of Trichogrammatoidea sp. and Habrobracon hebetor for biological control of Noorda blitealis, a defoliating caterpillar of Moringa oleifera
Full text linkThe damage caused by Noorda blitealis Walker (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) on Moringa, Moringa oleifera (Capparales: Moringaceae), a very important leafy vegetable in Niger, pushes producers to excessively use synthetic chemical pesticides. The present study was carried out in the laboratory for the parasitism test and at the station for the evaluation of the dynamics of predatory arthropods. The work aims on the one hand to test the parasitic capacities of two Trichogrammatoidea parasitoids sp. and Habrobracon hebetor respectively on the eggs and on the caterpillar of N. blitealis and on the other hand to evaluate the dynamics of the abundance of predator colonies in a Moringa plot, from a biological control perspective. At the end of these activities, the results obtained made it possible to determine that the average rate of emergence of individuals from a female of Trichogrammatoidea sp., on C. cephalonica eggs is 82.3% per day of infestation, or 13.6 individuals emerged per day of infestation. While the number of adults emerged from N. blitealis eggs is 4.1 individuals emerged per day of infestation (with a rate of 62.2% per day), significantly lower compared to the emergence rate obtained eggs of C. cephalonica. We observe that a total of 32.8 individuals on average emerged from a batch of ten larvae of C. cephalonica, from a female of H. bracon significantly higher than the nine individuals emerged from a batch of ten larvae of N. blitealis. In short, H. hebetor and Trichogrammatoidea sp. do not appear to be good candidates for biological control agents against N. blitealis. The study of the dynamics of insect colonies predatory on the larvae and eggs of N. blitealis, namely, ants, spiders and mantises, shows that their populations are present on the plants of two varieties of M. oleifera almost all during the year, with abundances varying greatly from one season to another.
Keywords: Noorda blitealis, Trichogrammatoidea sp, Habrobracon hebetor, Moringa oleifera, biological control, Nige
Integrated control strategies of invasive land snails
Full text linkThe land’s snail Theba Pisana (Helicidae) is a very harmful snail that is found on some crops and lives on attacking fruits and ornamental plants. It has another name, which is the white garden snail. Theba Pisana is native to the western Palearctic but it became invasive in many parts of the world. It negatively affects agriculture industries. In this review, we will report the results of some studies about the biology-ecology of the white snail and some other snails. Control strategies using trapping, essential oil plants, natural enemies and chemical pesticides, will be presented as a part of an integrated pest management against snails in order to evaluate their effectiveness, sustainability, and feasibility in fields.
Keywords: White snail, Theba Pisana, crops, pest management, biocontro
Sustainability of subsurface dams: What influences community satisfaction in Korlongo, a village in Chad?
Full text linkSubsurface dams are important in improving water supply in arid and semi-arid regions; however, subsurface dams' sustainability depends largely on local community satisfaction. This study examines the factors influencing community satisfaction of the Korlongo village in Guéra, Chad. Data from 40 families representing 5% of the village population using the dam was collected using a questionnaire designed to collect data on the main factors influencing community satisfaction. These are the size of the family (adults), the size of the family (children), water consumption in litres per day, who transports water, community participation in building, operation and maintenance of the Dam and the community satisfaction level. The results show that the size of the family in terms of adults was small (62.5%), family size in terms of children was large (42.5%), water consumption per day is large (40.0%), young people (60.0%) who are transporting water. The community has been largely (95%) involved in the operation (no maintenance of the dam), and 72.5% is significantly involved in the construction of the dam's gravel well. Statistical analysis using linear regression significantly predicted community satisfaction of the dam from the size of family (adults), size of family (children), water consumption in litres per day, who transports water, community participation in building, operation and maintenance of the Dam. The findings are important for the sustainability of the subsurface dam and will contribute to improving water management.
Keywords: Sustainable subsurface dams, community participation and satisfaction, Cha
Epidemiology of Wheat Yellow Rust (Puccinia striiformis) in the Saïss plain during the 2017-2019 growing seasons
Full text linkWheat is one of the most widely consumed cereals globally, with bread wheat dominating the majority of cereal fields. However, in recent years, yields have declined due partly to infectious fungal diseases, particularly obligate crop pathogens like yellow rust (Yr). This study examines the epidemiology of yellow rust (Puccinia striiformis) across 99 wheat fields in the Saïss region, Morocco. The prevalence of yellow rust was found to be 56.2% in bread wheat and 43.7% in durum wheat. From 2017 to 2019, overall prevalence increased to 34.9%, with Taoujdate, L'Mhaya and Aïn Jemâa fields being the most affected. Most of the inspected wheat fields exhibited low yellow rust severity, with 78% of fields showing less than 5% severity. The highest severity recorded was 15% in Taoujdate, while the lowest was 1.15% in Haj Kaddour. These findings can feed decision support tools for managing yellow rust outbreaks, contributing to environmentally friendly and sustainable wheat production in Morocco.
Keywords: Bread wheat, Durum wheat, Prevalence, Incidence, Severity, Epidemiolog
Evaluation of intercropping sesame in different planting densities with peanut grown within orange trees under deficit irrigation
Full text linkA field experiment was carried out during 2018 and 2019 summer seasons to test the interaction effect between two deficit irrigation treatments (DI1=100% ETo, DI2=80% ETo), plus control (FI= 120% ETo) and three planting densities (PD) of intercropped sesame (CS1=20% PD, CS2=40% PD, CS3= 60% PD) with peanut (100% PD) interplanted within orange trees on land and water productivities, as well as on farmer’s profit. The results showed that the highest peanut and orange yields were obtained under application of FI-CS1 and the highest yield of sesame and its components were obtained under application of FI-CS3. Irrigation with DI1 slightly reduced the yield of the three crops, whereas irrigation with DI2 highly reduced the yield of the three crops. The highest value of land equivalent ratio (LER), water equivalent ratio (WER), farmer’s total return and monetary advantage index were obtained under application of FI-CS1, with slight reduction under DI1 and high reduction under DI2. This study recommends orange farmers to interplant the sesame-peanut intercropping system (CS1) within young orange trees for additive farmer profitability and increasing LER and WER under either irrigation with FI or DI1.
Keywords: Land equivalent ratio, water equivalent ratio, farmer return, monetary advantage inde
Diversity, prevalence and intensity of gastro-intestinal helminths parasitizing goats in abattoir of the Central Market of Douala
Full text linkGastrointestinal parasites are among the major threats to livestock health and production. The objective of this study was to determine the diversity, the prevalence and mean intensity of gastrointestinal helminths and associated risk factors in goats in abattoir of Douala-Cameroon central market. The digestive tracts of 73 randomly selected goats were examined for helminth parasites using the standard parasitological procedure. A total of 11 species belonging to the class Nematoda (7 species), Trematoda (Paramphistomum spp) and Cestoda (3 species) were identified. The overall prevalence (93.2%) and mean intensity (26.2) was high and low respectively. The overall prevalence was significantly (p = 0.047) higher (97.8%) in females compared to males (85.7%) and not affected by the goat age (p = 0.603). The goat age and sex had no significant (p > 0.05) influence on the mean intensities of parasite species. Multiple infestations (78.1%) were more frequent (p < 0.001) than single infestations (21.9%). Moreover, helminths showed organ specificity. The infested population of goats should be targeted and treated.
Keywords: Helminths, digestive tract, goats, abattoir, Cameroo
Stem bursting as a consequence of winter injury on the young argan plants
Full text linkThe Argan tree (Argania spinosa (L.) Skeels) is an endemic species of Morocco, thriving in arid and semi-arid regions with a Mediterranean climate. It plays a crucial ecological, pharmaceutical, and socio-economic role in its native habitat. However, the Argan forest faces threats such as deforestation, overgrazing, and low natural regeneration. To address these challenges, artificial regeneration through seedling transplantation has been pursued, but many efforts have failed due to various constraints. In response, the Development of Arganiculture in Vulnerable Zones (DARED) project aims to enhance Argan tree transplantation techniques and overcome reforestation challenges. One such challenge observed is stem bursting in young Argan seedlings. This study conducted in Douar Aguerdane, Morocco, aimed to identify the causes of stem bursting and propose preventive measures. Field observations revealed the phenomenon of stem bursting predominantly at the basal part of seedlings, followed by regrowth of shoots. Laboratory analyses ruled out rodent damage and pathogenic infections as causes, implicating climatic conditions, particularly cold temperatures, as the likely factor. Recommendations such as trunk wrapping to protect against extreme cold are proposed to mitigate stem bursting and promote successful Argan tree transplantation efforts.
Key words: Argania spinosa, growth, climatic conditions, stem burstin