Moroccan Journal of Agricultural Sciences
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Effect of different methods of pollination on fruiting and yield of wet season date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) in Jigawa State, Nigeria
Full text linkThe study was carried out to determine the effect of pollination methods on fruiting and yield of wet season Date palm. The experiment was set up as a complete randomized block design with three treatments, each replicated four times. The three treatments are; T1 (unpollinated), T2 (Pollination twice without protection) and T3 (Pollination twice with protection). Data were collected on fruit set, fruit drop, percentage of seedless fruits, fruit weight, pulp weight, seed weight, fruit size and bunch weight. The results indicated that pollination methods significantly affected fruit set, fruit drop, fruit weight, percentage of seedless fruits, seed weight, fruit size and bunch weight. Maximum fruit set was observed from pollination twice without protection (T2). Bunch weight was also higher in pollination without protection (T2) but it is not significantly different with T3 (pollination with protection). On the other hand, pollination with protection gives high quality fruits in terms of fruit weight, pulp weight, and less number of seedless fruits. The significant lowest yield per bunch was achieved by natural pollination (T1). The results suggested that pollination with protection of wet season inflorescences can substitute for natural pollination thus improving the quality of the wet season fruit and also reducing the need for further fruit thinning.
Keywords: Date palm, Fruiting, Pollination strategies, Yield, Wet seaso
Ethnic knowledge in food, medicinal and economic value of Cochlospermum spp. root powder in Sudanian zone of Benin
Full text linkCochlospermum spp. is a multipurpose species used widely in West Africa by local communities. The present study focused on ethnic knowledge in food, medicinal and economic value of Cochlospermum spp. root powder in Sudanian zone of Benin. From nine (9) ethnic groups, 86 key informants and 90 processors of Cochlospermum spp. root were interviewed in the study area using semi-structured questionnaires. Additionally, 36 focus group discussions were conducted each gathering 8-10 women of reproductive age selected on a voluntary basis. A generalized linear model (GLM) was used to investigate the effect of socio-demographic characteristics of the survey population on food and medicinal use value of Cochlospermum spp. root powder. Kruskal Wallis test was carried out to highlight differences between phytodistricts and ethnic groups with regards to the brut monthly income of processors. From all respondents in the study area, thirteen (13) food uses and fourteen (14) medicinal uses were identified for Cochlospermum spp. root powder. Ethnic differences are only observed for food uses. Respondents from Peulh and Waama ethnic groups have the highest food use value, which were on average 6.02 and 5.96 uses respectively, while respondents from Gourmantché ethnic group have the lowest food use value (1.01 uses). Monthly income generated while processing Cochlospermum spp. root was highest for Bariba (40,675 FCFA) and lowest for Boo (16,891 FCFA). Local people livelihoods can be improved if the species is better managed and valorized. Nevertheless, studies are needed to facilitate the domestication of the species.
Keywords: Use value, ethnic groups, health, food security, income-generating activit
Effect of plant density and retting method on flax yield and its components under sandy soil conditions
Full text linkThis investigation was conducted at Ismailia Experimental Station, during 2020/2021 and 2021/2022 seasons to investigate the influence of plant density and retting method of three flax genotypes on yield and its attributes. The results illustrated that increase plant density from 1500 to 2500 plant/m2 increase straw yield and its components. However, the highest seed yield and its components were obtained with 2000 plant/m2. Fiber traits were not significantly differed by retting methods. Strain 620/1/3 exhibited the highest values of straw yield/hectare, plant height and technical length with 2500 plant/m2, also seed yield/hectare, seed yield/plant and number of capsules/plant with 2000 plant/m2. Strain 620/1/3 recorded the highest fiber yield/hectare and fiber length with 2500 plant/m2 in both retting methods. However, Sakha 3 scored the highest fiber percentage with 2000 plant/m2 in both retting method. Straw and fiber yield/hectare traits showed a strong and positive significant correlation with straw yield/plant, plant height, technical length and fiber length traits. Seed yield/plant exhibited significant positive correlation with number of capsules/plant and number of seeds/capsule. Results revealed that the major straw and fiber yield contributors were technical length and plant height traits and straw yield/plant for fiber yield. Thus, selection for improving straw and fiber yields by indirectly selection for high technical length and plant height. For seed yield/plant number of capsules/plant trait was the most important contributor followed by 1000-seed weight trait which has high positive direct effects on seed yield/plant. Therefore, seed yield improvement can be achieved through selection indirectly for more capsules/plant and seed weight.
Keywords: Flax, linseed, plant density, retting method, correlation, path analysi
Effect of different growing nutrient solutions on Azolla pinnata productivity under Egyptian conditions
Full text linkA field experiment was conducted from 24 June to 31 December, 2023 in a private farm (30° 22’ 01.0” N and 31° 36’ 26.1” E), Egypt, to test the effects of two nutrient solutions compared with farmer practice on Azolla pinnata fresh biomass, tissue-chemical constituents, tissue-NPK concentrations and the amount of water applied and its water productivity. Results showed that average fresh yields were 54.9, 44.1, and 40.9 t/ha/month respectively for nutrient solution A, solution B and farmer practice. Average Azolla pinnata fresh yield during summer season was higher than that recorded during autumn season. In Azolla's tissues, average Total Carbohydrates (TC) values were 32.3, 31.4, and 32.7%, average Total Fiber (TF) contents were 15.9, 15.7, and 15.8%, average AA values were 14.0, 12.6, and 13.1%, and average Crude Protein (CP) values were 14.0, 12.6, and 13.1% for solution A, solution B and farmer practice treatments, respectively. Average tissue-N values were 2.41, 2.21, and 2.14%, tissue-P values were 0.54, 0.40, and 0.40%, and average tissue-K values were 1.22, 1.21, and 1.25% for the same respective treatments. Total amounts of applied water during the growing period was 4071 m3/ha and average water productivity values were 96.4, 80.4, and 73.6 kg fresh yield/m3 for the three respective treatments. It could be concluded that, the multiple contents of growing nutrient solution significantly increase Azolla pinnata biomass. It also increased the chemical constituents of the plant, tissue-NPK, and water productivity. Ponded water contains macro- and micro-nutrients and can be used to irrigate other crops in the farm.
Keywords: Azolla pinnata, biomass, chemical constituents, tissue-NPK, water productivit
Ultra-sonication treatment for saline groundwater: A new innovative approach for preventing emitter clogging in surface drip irrigation systems
Full text linkClogging is a serious problem in drip irrigation, especially when using saline groundwater; this may cause uneven water distribution. However, efficient and environmentally friendly methods are rarely available for mitigating clogging. In the present study, an innovative and environmentally friendly technology using ultrasonic waves within radio frequency without the use of chemicals to treat emitter clogging, is evaluated. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the chronological changes in the emitter flow rate and the effect of ultrasonic (US) water treatments on solving the problem of emitter clogging in the field. The performance of the drip irrigation system is tested by measuring emitter discharge and estimating the average emitter discharge (qav), the manufacturer coefficient of variation (CVm), the distribution uniformity of the lowest quarter (DUlq), the application efficiency (AE) and the Christiansen uniformity coefficient (CUC). The results showed that the qav for the emitters improved from 3.37 l/h before treatment to 4.1 l/h after 180 h of US irrigation water treatment. The DUlq and the AE of the drip irrigation system were respectively 76.7% and 69.1% before treatment, due to the presence of salts in the groundwater, which caused emitter clogging. After 180 hours of US water treatment, DUlq and AE improved to respectively 90.3% and 81.3%. This improvement led to saving about 15% of the daily irrigation water. This study showed that ultrasonic water treatment is highly effective as chemical-free treatment method with great potential for preventing emitters clogging in drip irrigation systems, and could be further promoted in drip irrigation with saline groundwater.
Keywords: Clogging, drip, irrigation, emitter, saline groundwater, ultrasoni
Evaluation of flood risk in an arid region of southern Tunisia: Coupling hydrological and hydraulic modeling
Full text linkFlash floods are today more intense and more frequent due to climate change, especially in arid regions. This issue particularly threatens the Tataouine province, an arid area located in southern Tunisia, where sudden heavy flood events recorded during the last three decades have caused serious material damage and human life losses. The aim of this study is to assess flood risk in the Wadi Tataouine watershed by integrating a hydrological model, a hydraulic model and watershed physical characteristics. To proceed, a rainfall frequency analysis was performed using the Hyfran-Plus software to determine maximum daily rainfall versus return periods. The results of this analysis were afterwards used for hydrological modeling by the Watershed Modeling System (WMS) to develop a flood hydrograph. The latter served as a boundary condition for the two-dimensional hydraulic model HEC-RAS 2D. A flood hazards map was developed based on the obtained flood hydrograph and land cover manning coefficients that were used to determine inundation depth and water velocity distribution at the flooded area. The water depth map shows that the depth reached 4 m and the velocity values ranged up to 3.5 m/s. A flood vulnerability map was established using the physical characteristics of the Wadi Tataouine watershed. A flood risk map was developed by associating the flood hazards with the vulnerability map of the study area. The results of the applied integrated hydrological and hydraulic modeling approach suggest that urban areas, basically the Tataouine city, present the highest risk of flooding. This can be mainly explained by the increase of impermeability and the higher exposure of people, properties and infrastructure in these zones. Therefore, the flood risk map proposed in the present study can help decision makers identify the most threatened zones in the Tataouine region and develop targeted prevention measures and effective mitigation strategies for flood risk management.
Keywords: Flood risk mapping, hydrological model, hydraulic model, climate change, arid regio
Diversity of processes for transformation of fresh fish in Northern Cameroon
Full text linkFish as a foodstuff of high nutritional value is considerably perishable. It must be transformed in order to improve the duration of its conservation. Drying and smoking are the most popular processes to transform fish in northern Cameroon. These steps usually affect the quality of the finished products. In order to improve the quality of locally transformed fish in a handmade manner and to typify such activity, an survey was conducted in three fishing ponds in the Northern part of Cameroon with 160 fishermen and fish transformers. It appears that the technique of transforming fish in those main fishing ponds in Northern Cameroon vary at the level of preprocessing and dehydration phases of fresh fish. Smoking is done in a traditional oven followed by cleaning (4.1% in the Adamawa Region and 33.0% in the North and Far North Region) or flaking of the fish (95.9% in Adamawa and 61.1% in the North and the Far North Region). Then, come emptying (95.9% in Adamawa and 61.1% in the North and Far North), cutting into small pieces (11.1% in the Far North) or cracking (82.6% in the Adamawa Region). At the end, washing (95.9% in the Adamawa and 72.2% in the North and Far North), spinning (100%), smoking (100%) and then packaging of the fish (100%) complete the process. All these operations are conducted without equipment for protection, on uncleaned surfaces and with irregularly washed materials with clean water. The drying process is done on bare ground on top of a drying stall is a constant step in the Far North (54.9%) and North (28.6%) regions and scarce in the Adamawa region (9.3%). A particular emphasis should be laid on hygienic measures to ensure a sanitary quality of dry fish at the end of both smoking and drying processes.
Keywords: Processing, smoking, drying, Northern Cameroon, Transformatio
Characterization and typology of goat farm production systems in Benin
Full text linkIn Benin, goat farming is a key livelihood for farm households and is mainly practiced by smallholders. This study was conducted to characterize the production system of goat farms. A total of 496 farmers from the three climatic zones of the country were interviewed using a questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, chi-square test, Kendall's concordance test, factorial analysis of mixed data, and hierarchical cluster analysis on principal components were used for data analysis. Results show that income from the sale of livestock products is the primary objective of the farmers. The herd is dominated by adult females and future breeding does and bucks are selected based on their body conformation and the performance of their parents. The multivariate analyses revealed three distinct clusters. The two first is oriented towards meat production while the last one is oriented milk production. Such results can be used as a basis for programs to improve the productivity of goats and the living conditions of farmers.
Keywords: production system, typology, goat, Beni
Impact of plant density of pea intercropped with flax under different nitrogen fertilizer levels on crop productivity
Full text linkA field experiment was established to analyze the effect of different plant densities of pea (12.5, 25.0, 37.5 and 50.0% of the recommended plant density "RPD") intercropped with 100% flax under nitrogen fertilization levels (60, 85 and 110 kg N/ha) on yield of both crops, their competitive relationships and economic evaluation. A Split-plot design with three replications was used, where the main-plots were assigned to nitrogen fertilization levels and the sub-plots for intercropping patterns. Application of 85 kg N/ha significantly increased all studied characters of both crops. Sowing flax with pea with 12.5% from the RPD resulted in highest values of flax stem diameter, straw yield/ha, number of capsules/plant, seeds/plant, seed index and seed yield/ha. For pea higher values were also observed for number of leaves, branches and pods/plants, pod length and diameter, green pod weight and number of seeds/pod. The highest values of total green pods yield/ha of pea was produced when flax is sown with the RPD and pea with 37.5% RPD. It can be concluded that the maximum LER, RCC, total income and economic return were obtained from sowing flax with the RPD and pea with 37.5% RPD and fertilizing with 85 kg N/ha.
Keywords: Flax, pea, intercropping system, plant densities, nitrogen fertilizer levels, competitive relationship
Ethno-botanical survey of medicinal plants species traditionally used for the treatment of diseases in Kasangulu Territory (Democratic Republic of Congo)
Full text linkIn Africa, much knowledge is lost due to lack of transmission, which does not promote resource conservation by local populations. It is therefore obvious to assess people's knowledge on the importance of resources to develop conservation and sustainable management strategies. This study was conducted to identify medicinal plants used in traditional medicine to treat common diseases in the Kasangulu Territory of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. To achieve this objective, an ethnobotanical survey was carried out through an open-ended questionnaire that was administered to herbal therapists in the local language to obtain more reliable informations. Some ethnobotanical parameters have been compiled for the identified medicinal plants. A total of 66 species belonging to 33 families and 59 genera have been recorded. The results showed that married and unmarried people have a shared medicinal knowledge, with a slight priority for the married. Sterility is the predominant disease with a rate of 15%. The leaf is the most commonly used organ and the infusion is the most common method of preparation in traditional medicine. There is a predominance of mesophanerophytes and pantropical. Bushfires and agricultural practices are increasing the pressure on medicinal resources, which is believed to be at the root of the loss of some more vulnerable species. There is an urgent need for a sustainable management approach to safeguard and preserve these plant species. This study of the medicinal plants used in Kasangulu constitutes a reservoir of information that contributes to build knowledge to protect the medicinal flora and safeguard local popular know-how.
Keywords: Traditional healers, medicinal plants, folk medicine, biodiversity, sustainable managemen