Journal of Applied and Natural Science
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Farm typology farming practices, diversity and transition to agricultural intensification in Faragouaran Municipality, Southern Mali
Get PDFSince the 1970s, the Malian Textile Development Company’s (CMDT) introduction of cotton has transformed South Mali\u27s agriculture, driving intensification, mechanisation, and farm diversification. While small, poorly equipped farms have declined, some subsistence-focused practices persist. The study aimed to characterise the typology of family farms in the context of anthropogenic pressures and territorial changes. To achieve this, semi-structured surveys were conducted on 180 farms across seven randomly selected villages. Farms were classified into six types (T1 to T6) based on cultivated area, crop distribution, livestock, equipment, and agricultural workforce. Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was used to examine the effect of different farm types on several dependent variables. The results showed a predominance of type T4 (49%), T5 (20%), and T6 (17%) farms, which were mostly medium-scale to large-scale. Wilks\u27 lambda test (0.473) indicated that 52.7% of the variance in dependent variables is attributed to differences between farm types. The F value of 6.478, with a p-value of 0.000, showed that these differences were statistically significant (p < 0.05). The Partial Eta Squared of 0.171 reflected a moderate effect size, suggesting that farm types account for 17.1% of the total variance in dependent variables. Significant differences were observed for each variable across the different farm types (T1 to T6). Equipment accounted for the highest proportion of explained variance (37.1%), while agricultural labor showed the lowest (12.2%). The typology highlights a marked diversity in farming systems, shaped by socioeconomic and environmental factors, within a context of gradual modernisation and pressure on resources.
Isolation and identification of pathogenic bacteria from drinking tap water and Tigris River water sources in Baghdad
Get PDFWater is a resource and a crucial aspect of living and surviving. In Iraq, the Tigris River is one of the most critical water sources. The present study aimed to provide an insight analysis of some water quality parameters including the microbial content of drinkable tap water and river water. Ten Water samples (T1- T10) in triplicate were collected from sampling sites -Site I (Tap water) from home water taps, supplied by the Water Filtration Station/ Al Karama Project/ Al-Karkh> 10 from Site II (R1- R10)River water from Tigris River (around or near the Water Filtration Station/ Al Karama Project) every week (from September to half of November 2022), then were immediately placed in sterile bottles and transported to Microbiology lab for the analysis. Site I, turbidity was (0.7- 6) NTU. Free Chlorine availability was 0.5- 3.5 mg/L>CFU/ mL ranged from 0 to 40 in Total Plate Count (TPC);membrane filtration method (MFM) was unsatisfactory (T1, T8,T9), other samples were satisfactory. Site II, coliform result was 5200- 9200 CFU/ 100mL;Lauryl Tryptose broth (11000–49000) MPN/100mL,;Brilliant Green Bile broth (6900–17000 MPN/100mL); EC-MUG (E. coli medium with 4-methylumbelliferyl-β-D-glucuronide) was4900- 22000 MPN/100mL and EC-Broth was 4900- 22000 MPN/100mL. m-Endo Agar LES was +ve for all samples. All Tigris River water samples , were contaminated with coliform bacteria: E. coli, C. freundii, and Sphingomonas paucimobilis (sample R2) as non-coliform. Site I were drinkable and reliable, corresponding to Iraqi and WHO typical parameters, while Site II was under standardization.
Formulating hexamine, mineral oil, mixture and evaluation of its insecticidal activity against Papaya Mealybug Paracoccus marginatus (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) under laboratory conditions
Get PDFHexamine is a heterocyclic organic chemical that has a wide range of applications. It is primarily employed as an anti-infective agent to treat urinary tract infections. Mineral oils are refined petroleum-based hydrocarbon blends of aromatic oils, paraffins, and naphthenes. Cutting and grinding fluids are made with mineral oils with a wide range of compositions. This research paper\u27s primary goal was to formulate hexamine, mineral oil, and their combination in appropriate formulation types and assess their biological activity against papaya mealybug Paracoccus marginatus. The mineral oil was formulated as an emulsifiable concentrate (EC), hexamine as a soluble powder (SP), and its mixture as oil in water emulsion (EW). All developed formulations passed all tests that the WHO and FAO had prescribed for these types of formulations. Biological tests were conducted in the laboratory using serial concentrations (0.125, 0.25, 0.50, and 1%) on P. marginatus nymphs and adults. Mineral oil and hexamine mixture (EW) formulation demonstrated the highest activity against P. marginatus, nymphs and adults, followed by hexamine (SP) formulation and then the mineral oil (EC) formulation. Their LC50 values were, respectively, 0.0509, 0.0653, and 0.1015 for nymphs and 0.0513, 0.0767, and 0.1224 % for adults. Also, the efficacy of these formulations displayed a higher effect on nymphs than adults. After completing the necessary research, these new formulations may be applied in the field after trial to control the papaya mealybug, P. marginatus.
Protective role of plant-based pollen substitute diets against Nosema spores in Apis mellifera colonies
Get PDFNosema sp. causes a significant threat to honeybee populations, making it crucial to find effective mitigation strategies. The present study examines the impact of plant-based pollen substitute diets on Nosema spore infection in Apis mellifera L. colonies. The study explores the potential of phytochemicals, which have antimicrobial properties, as natural treatments to reduce Nosema infection. Seven experimental groups (Diet-2 to Diet-8 along with Diet-1 (control) of colonies were fed with different pollen substitute diets containing medicinal plant leaves such as coriander (Coriandrum sativum), moringa (Moringa oleifera), tulsi (Ocimum sanctum) and lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus); fruit powders of amla (Embilica officinalis), guava (Psidium guava) and mixed diet containing equal quantities of all plant leaves and fruit powders, along with common ingredients like defatted soya flour, skimmed milk powder, brewer’s yeast, turmeric, vitamins and sugar syrup. The Diet-2 to Diet-8 were compared to a control group of colonies (Diet-1), which was only fed with sugar syrup. Nosema spores were counted in samples of 40 worker bees from experimental and control groups of colonies before feeding and at intervals of 8, 16, 24 and 32 days using an Improved Neubauer hemocytometer. Results showed that Diet-8 has significantly reduced the number of Nosema spores (50,000±28867.5 spores/bee) compared to the control group of colonies (5,50,000±28867.5 spores/bee). Diet-8 was more effective than other diets, suggesting that plant-based pollen substitute diets can help effectively manage Nosema infections and maintain healthy and disease-free honeybee colonies throughout the year.
Vulnerability of Rural Households to Flooding in Gicumbi District, Rwanda in Africa
Get PDFRwanda is one of the African countries facing significant impacts of climate change, with frequent floods increasing rural households\u27 vulnerability. Gicumbi, in the northern province of Rwanda, is currently the most exposed to climate hazards. The present study assessed the vulnerability of rural households to flooding in Miyove, Nyankenke, Rukomo, Byumba, Kageyo, and Ruvune in the Gicumbi district in Rwanda to flooding. Climate data was obtained from the Rwanda Meteorological Agency. Primary data was collected from 399 randomly selected households using a structured questionnaire. The vulnerability of households to flooding was assessed using the Livelihood Vulnerability Index (LVI) approach. The chi-square test was used to test the variation in households’ perceptions of rainfall changes. In contrast, the Mann–Kendall test was adopted to examine the variability and trends in rainfall. Except for Byumba, the results showed that the Mulindi and Rwesero stations had the highest rainfall variability, whereas all stations showed no significant change in annual rainfall trends. The majority of households (84.9 %) perceived fluctuations in rainfall trends. However, the households\u27 perceptions of rainfall varied significantly across the six study areas (p=0.001) and their occupations (p=0.004). Households in Miyove were the most vulnerable to floods (index: 0.123), whereas those in Byumba were the least vulnerable with high adaptive capacity. Households in Ruvune and Miyove were the most exposed and sensitive to floods, respectively. The study recommends early interventions in establishing initiatives and improved strategies to enhance the resilience and ability of rural households to adapt to floods to reduce vulnerability.
Antioxidant properties of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) husk-derived peptides
Get PDFProtein hydrolysates and plant peptide extracts can become next-generation natural, eco-friendly food supplementary with a wide range of bioactive features. From folk medicine, it is known about the aqueous extract of the common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) and its exceptional treatment features. Various abilities of peptides from P.vulgaris have been closely studied in recent years, but another component of “bean pod tea” – husk hydrolysates has not been studied at all. Therefore, this study aimed to obtain and perform a primary analysis of peptides from common bean husks using two methods-acidic hydrolysis and perchloric acid extraction. The first method was based on the hydrolysis of protein-rich plant extracts by acetic acid, allowing to obtain hydrolysis-derived peptides, while extraction by perchloric acid resulted in retrieving of native endogenous peptides. Using Spectrophotometry and size-exclusion chromatography, the study showed that the perchloric acid extraction method allows the extraction of peptides with MW 205-590 Da, which have moderate OH-scavenging activity. Peptides obtained by acidic hydrolysis (192-610 Da) had significantly higher levels of DPPH-scavenging and FRAP activities (14 ± 0,68 % and 27 ± 1,12 % respectively). Therefore, peptides from P. vulgaris bean husk have antioxidant activity, and to elaborate on these findings, the antimicrobial and inhibitory activities of these peptides should be tested in future studies.
Impact of zinc fortification on yield and quality of Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) in the Western ghat region of Coimbatore District under irrigated conditions
Get PDFPearl millet is recognized for its resilience to harsh climates and high nutritional value, making it a key crop for climate-resilient and low-input agricultural systems. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of zinc fertilization in Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) hybrids in conjunction with nitrogen fertilizer. During the Kharif seasons of 2022 and 2023, the study was conducted in the field at South Farm, Karunya Institute of Technology & Sciences (KITS) campus, Karunya University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. Six sub-plot treatments were examined in the main plots for two hybrids, M1 (non-biofortified) and M2 (biofortified), as well as their corresponding foliar applications supplemented with ZnO (S4, S5, and S6) and soil nitrogen applications at 40 kg ha-1 (S1), 60 kg ha-1 (S2), and 80 kg ha-1 (S3). Zinc fortification using 80 kg ha-1 N and ZnO foliar spray (S6) significantly improved pearl millet growth, yield, and quality in the western ghat zone of Tamil Nadu, India. Application of Zinc oxide @ 0.5% foliar spray at 25 and 50 days after sowing with 80 kg ha-1 of N fertilizer (S6) had shown significant higher plant height (194.01 cm), grain yield (3.62 t ha-1), crude protein (10.85%), iron (79.33 mg kg-1) and zinc (42.32 mg kg-1).
This study offers novel insights into optimizing nutrient management for pearl millet, a crucial crop for food and nutritional security within climate-resilient farming systems. These findings not only contribute to the development of low-input, nutrient-rich crop production models but also support the broader goals of sustainable agriculture and biofortification to combat hidden hunger in marginal environments.
Environmental and health risks of potentially toxic element concentrations in soil and foodstuffs from Abuakwa South Municipality, Ghana
Get PDFBioaccumulation of potentially toxic elements in soil and foodstuffs from mining areas contaminates foods and threatens public health. Understanding the distribution of Potentially Toxic Elements (PTEs) concentrations is necessary for monitoring environmental and human health risks. The present study assessed the concentrations of PTEs in soil and foodstuffs from small-scale artisanal mining (SAM) communities and their environmental and health risks in the Abuakwa South Municipality (ASM) of Ghana. Soil, plantain, and cocoyam leaves were sampled for PTEs analysis in 11 communities. Soil samples were collected using a 30 x 30-meter quadrat, with three samples taken at a depth of 0-20 cm within four quadrats per community. Environmental pollution indices of the PTEs, including contamination factor (CF), enrichment factor (EF), and geoaccumulation index (Igeo), as well as human health hazard index (HI), were calculated. The CF, EF and Igeo indices of the PTEs decreased in the order Hg> Mn> Cu> As> Ni> Co> Fe> Cr (34.94 to 0.09), Hg> Mn> Ni> Cu> As> Co (649.76 to 1.30) and Hg> Mn> As> Cu> Ni> Co> Fe (5.30 to 4.09), respectively with an overall pollution load index of 0.11 for the soil samples. The concentration of PTEs in plantain and cocoyam decreased in the order Ni> Fe> Co> Pb> Mn> Cu> Hg>As> Cr and Ni> Fe> Co> Pb> Mn> Cu> As> Hg> Cr, respectively, implying Ni, Fe and Co dominance in the foodstuffs. The HI recorded in plantain in all sampling locations exceeded the threshold value of >1 for both adults and children, indicating significant health risks.
Breeding and selection of elite lines combining high oil and seed characteristics in nontoxic background of Jatropha curcas
Get PDFTo develop high-yielding, nontoxic Jatropha cultivars suitable for biodiesel production, a study was conducted at Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Jabalpur, India. The background involved interspecific hybridization between Jatropha integerrima and elite lines of J. curcas, followed by backcrossing to eliminate seed toxicity while enhancing yield potential. The material under study comprised four provenances (NBJ-1, JC11, MP55-1, and MP55-2); three spontaneous mutants, Dwarf (Dw), Green foliage (Gf), and Small leaf (Sl); and population crosses, viz., five single crosses (52-2, 52-3, NT-1, 61-3, and B1-11); eight three-way crosses (14-22, 9-1, 12-19, 13-11, 13-17, 13-28, 14-24, and 17-21); four four-way crosses (14-16, 21-8, 34-6, and 34-23); and one multiple cross (A9-1). Plants with a sufficient seed yield (>500 g) were analyzed for oil content and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) content. The PMA was analyzed in different seed parts to understand the genetics of its nontoxic nature, which revealed its maternal inheritance. The four-way crosses indicated better assembly of genes with three-trait combinations; three-way crosses with three- and two-trait combinations; and single crosses with two combinations of traits. The plants derived from single crosses 52-3×34-6 and 61-3×52-2, as well as a four-way cross (52-2×13-11) × (61-3×52-2), emerged as the most promising through hybridization and require further evaluation in small-scale plantations for development and utilization in future breeding programs.
Study of gene expression of Heat shock proteins HSP-70 and some physiological and immunological aspects of three types of heat-tolerant and non-tolerant insects
Get PDFHeat shock proteins (HSPs), particularly HSP-70, are critical to insect adaptation under extreme environmental stress. This study evaluated HSP-70 gene expression in three insect species-Apis mellifera (honeybee), Camponotus xerxes (ant), and Musca domestica (housefly)-subjected to heat stress (45°C, 50°C, 55°C) and extreme cold (liquid nitrogen, −96°C). Gene expression was measured using RT-PCR, and fold changes were calculated relative to the control groups. In A. mellifera, HSP-70 expression increased from a baseline of 1.54-fold in controls to 3.00-, 3.30-, and 6.09-fold at 45°C, 50°C, and 55°C, respectively; exposure to liquid nitrogen induced a 4.41-fold increase. In C. xerxes, expression rose from 1.03-fold (control) to 3.07-fold, 3.67, and 7.69-fold with increasing temperatures, while nitrogen exposure led to a 5.61-fold rise. M. domestica exhibited the highest expression at 55°C (5.62-fold) and after nitrogen exposure (4.94-fold), compared to 1.01-fold in controls, although expression at 45°C and 50°C was lower (2.04- and 1.91-fold, respectively).The results indicated that all three species upregulate HSP-70 in response to thermal and cold stress, with the greatest expression observed at 55°C and upon exposure to liquid nitrogen. Notably, C. xerxes showed the strongest heat-induced response, while M. domestica exhibited pronounced expression under both heat and cold, suggesting robust thermal adaptation. These findings underscore the species-specific dynamics of HSP-70 regulation and its pivotal role in cellular protection and survival under extreme environmental conditions.