Moroccan Journal of Agricultural Sciences

Effect of different methods of pollination on fruiting and yield of wet season date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) in Jigawa State, Nigeria

2024-11-27T22:47:10+01:00

The 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 season

Stem bursting as a consequence of winter injury on the young argan plants

2024-12-09T22:38:19+01:00

The 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 bursting

Effect of plant density and retting method on flax yield and its components under sandy soil conditions

2024-12-20T23:47:58+01:00

This 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 analysis

Insecticidal and repellent activities of Cananga odorata leaf essential oil against Sitotroga cerealella, a post-harvest pest of rice

2024-12-13T18:37:50+01:00

Rice in storage is increasingly attacked by Sitotroga cerealella, a highly destructive and economically important pest. The use of plant extracts, especially essential oils, is a natural alternative to synthetic insecticides in crop pest control. This study determined the chemical composition of the essential oil of Cananga odorata leaves and evaluated its biological properties, the insecticidal and insect repellent effect of the oil against Sitotroga cerealella. The essential oil was obtained by hydro-distillation, and analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Fumigation tests were carried out to evaluate the ovicidal, larvicidal, insecticidal and anti-oviposition properties of the oil on the insect and its insect repellent effect was determined using an olfactometer. The analysis showed that the oil contains 32 main compounds, the major ones being ?-pinene (7.0 %), lavandulyl acetate (7.2 %), caryophyllene (30.3 %), ?-humulene (13.4 %) and germacrene D (9.0 %). C. odorata essential oil showed high adulticidal toxicity with values CL₅₀ of 0.094 ?l/mL/L air and CL₉₀ of 0.46 ?l/mL. This oil has ovicidal and larvicidal or egg development retardant properties. It also caused strong oviposition inhibition activity with an insect repellency rate of 75.7 %. Its insecticidal effects preserved grain weight, with weight losses of no more than 0.38 % and a germination rate of paddy rice seeds of over 80 %. The essential oil from the leaves of the C. odorata can be used as an alternative to modern toxic synthetic chemicals, for protection against Sitotroga cerealella.

Keywords: C. odorata, essential oil, S. cerealella, fumigation, insecticidal, repellence, gemination, rice

Retrospective study of respiratory diseases in working equids in Morocco: 2018 – 2023

2024-12-06T11:11:23+01:00

Very 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 horses

Efficiency of adding potato peel powder (L. Solanum Tuberosum) to feed in enhancing broiler physiological characteristics and productivity

2024-12-06T22:59:58+01:00

The purpose of this study was to determine how adding varying amounts of potato peel powder to broiler diet affected the animals' physiological and productive performance. The study used 240 Ross-308 broiler chicks that were one day old, unsexed, and kept together for seven days. After that, the chicks were divided into four treatments at random, with three duplicates of each treatment, each containing twenty chicks. They grew up on a bed of sawdust on the floor of a confined hallway. The following were the treatments: T1 (control, no feed addition), potato peel powder was added at doses of 20% (T2), 30% (T3) and 40% (T4). The average total live body weight of all birds increased significantly when potato peel powder was added to their feed. Additionally, when compared to the control treatment, the cumulative weight of all birds treated with potato peel powder increased, and their feed consumption rate and feed conversion ratio significantly improved. The levels of glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoproteins (LDL) significantly decreased in all treatments involving the addition of potato peel powder, while the levels of high-density lipoproteins (HDL), globulin, albumin, and total protein significantly increased. The amount of red and white blood cells, hemoglobin concentration, and hemoglobin were all significantly higher in the blood test findings for birds receiving all treatments. We draw the conclusion that, in comparison to the control treatment, which was devoid of the addition, adding potato leaf powder at varying doses enhanced some physiological and productive features of broiler chickens.

Keywords: potato peel powder, feed additives in physiological traits, broiler

Ethnic knowledge in food, medicinal and economic value of Cochlospermum spp. root powder in Sudanian zone of Benin

2024-11-05T10:59:59+01:00

Cochlospermum 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 activity

First Assessment of Mormyridae diversity and abundance in the Niger River at Niamey, Niger

2024-12-08T10:43:47+01:00

To analyse the assessment of Mormyridae diversity and abundance in the Niamey fisheries on the Niger River, a study was conducted from August to November 2022. Fish data were collected bimonthly from artisanal fishing landings using gillnets, sparrowhawk nets, baited traps, and baited longlines. A total of 1279 individuals from fifteen species across nine genera were inventoried. Numerically, Mormyrus rume dominated the fish assemblages, comprising 29.9% of the mormyrid sub-community, followed by Marcusenius cyprinoides (15.0%), Campylomormyrus tamandua (12.9%), Marcusenius senegalensis (0.08%), Petrocephalus bovei (0.08%), and Hippopotamyrus pictus (0.16%). The Shannon-Weaver index of species diversity was moderate, reaching H' = 2.96. Major threats to the growth and survival of Mormyrids in the Niger River included overexploitation and anthropogenic disturbances such as domestic uses (e.g., ditch cleaning, clothes washing, bathing), invasion of floating plants (Echhornia crassipes), sand dragging, human waste dumping, and the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides in adjacent agriculture. The results of this study will contribute to the design of a holistic species management scheme that includes habitat protection, species conservation, and valorisation.

Keywords: River Niger, Diversity, Characterization, Niger, Mormyridae