Moroccan Journal of Agricultural Sciences

Effects of compost and horse manure teas on growth, yield, and quality of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) in Semi-Arid Nigeria

Emmanuel Abraham SHITTU — 2025-12-15

The need for safe, healthful food on a worldwide scale drives modern agriculture to use organic farming methods to boost crop yield while protecting the environment and slowing down climate change. A field and net house study was conducted in the Sudan Savanna of Nigeria to evaluate the effects of compost tea (CT) and horse manure tea (HMT) on flowering, growth, yield, and quality of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.). The experiment was a 4 x 4 factorial laid out in a randomized complete block design with four replicates consisting of four (4) levels each of CT and HMT (0, 100, 125, and 150 ml/L). Compost tea significantly reduced days to 50% flowering in both environments. In the open field, 150 ml m^-² CT led to the earliest flowering (40.9 days), compared to 53.6 days in the control. Dry matter accumulation also improved significantly, with 150 ml m^-² CT yielding 24.9 g and 23.9 g in the net house and open field, respectively. CT significantly increased yield, with 8.9 t/ha in the net house and 7.8 t/ha in the open field at 150 ml m^-². CT application enhanced fruit N, K, vitamin C, and Brix content, with 6.1 % N, 1453 mg kg^-1 K, 2.82 mg/100 g Vit C, and 2.5 Brix at 150 ml m^-². HMT also influenced some parameters but was less effective. The CT × HMT interaction showed synergistic effects on flowering, dry matter, and nutrient content. These findings suggest compost tea is a potent organic input for enhancing cucumber productivity.

Keywords: Dry matter, tissue N, P, K, yield characters, cucumber, open field, net house, semi-arid ecology

Soil-traits interactions and path analysis of growth and fertility indicators driving sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) yield in the Nigerian Southern Guinea Savanna

M.S BASSEY — 2025-12-15

Optimizing sugarcane yield under variable soil conditions requires a deep understanding of the interactions between plant traits and soil fertility parameters. This study investigated the direct and indirect contributions of key growth attributes and soil properties to sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) yield in the Southern Guinea Savanna of Nigeria. Field trials were conducted at Badeggi during the 2018 and 2019 rainy seasons. Growth parameters, including stalk height, stalk girth, and Brix content and soil fertility indicators (organic carbon, total nitrogen, and available phosphorus) were measured and analyzed using correlation and path coefficient analysis. Cane yield showed strong positive correlations with stalk height, stalk girth, and soil organic carbon across both seasons. Path analysis identified stalk girth (31.6% in 2018; 19.1% in 2019) and stalk height (7.5% in 2018; 19.3% in 2019) as the most influential direct contributors to yield. Soil nutrients and Brix content contributed indirectly, primarily through their enhancement of structural growth traits. The analytical model accounted for 71.2% and 80.4% of yield variability in 2018 and 2019, respectively. These findings underscore the pivotal role of stalk morphology and nutrient-enriched soils particularly organic carbon and phosphorus in driving cane yield. The results advocate for an integrated approach that combines varietal selection for structural vigor with site-specific nutrient management to sustainably enhance sugarcane productivity in savanna agroecosystems.

Keywords: Sugarcane yield, stalk traits, soil fertility, path analysis, organic carbon

Phytochemical screening and assessment of various weed extracts for the management of Alternaria solani infecting Solanaceous crops

Tahseen FATIMA — 2025-12-15

One of the major diseases of Solanaceae family is early blight caused by Alternaria solani which lowers the yield with reduction of plant health and seed quality. The current study assessed the presence of secondary metabolites in the extracts of selected weeds such as Cannabis sativa, Parthenium hysterophorus, and Lantana camara using phytochemical screening and their antifungal interactions with the target pathogen Alternaria solani. The results of phytochemical screening showed that P. hysterophorus was particularly rich in amino acids, which were not found in the aqueous and ethanol extracts of C. sativa and L. camara. Proteins were detected in all extracts except those from P. hysterophorus. Tannins were absent only from L. camara, but present in the other extracts. P. hysterophorus also had a substantial amount of flavonoids, which were absent from the ethanol extract of L. camara but present in other extracts. Phytosterols were found in every extract of C. sativa, L. camara, and P. hysterophorus. Food poison method and Agar disc diffusion method were used to investigate the antifungal behavior of weeds extracts against Alternaria solani. The food poison method produced significantly better results than the agar-disc diffusion method. However, the order of effectiveness of weeds using these two methods were: C. sativa > L. camara > P. hysterophorus. Moreover, maximum inhibition was observed in the aqueous extract of C. sativa after seven days of incubation. The outcomes of this study could lessen the need for artificial fungicides and aid in controlling the emergence of disease resistance and hold substantial significance in the realm of sustainable agriculture and disease management.

Keywords: Agar disc diffusion method, Disease management, Food poison method, Secondary metabolites

Perception of disease transmission risks associated with domestic rats in Kinshasa households

Branham KITOKO — 2025-12-15

Domestic rats, also known as black rats (Rattus rattus), coexist with humans in various ecological settings, thereby facilitating the transmission of pathogens through multiple routes. In low- and middle-income countries, several anthropogenic factors exacerbate this risk. In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), few studies have examined community perceptions of this threat. The present study aimed to assess household perceptions of disease transmission risks associated with domestic rats in four neighborhoods of Ngaliema Commune, Kinshasa. This was a cross-sectional and descriptive study conducted among randomly selected households located near waste disposal sites, following oral consent from household heads or their representatives. Findings showed that the presence of rats was reported in 98% of households, mainly due to garbage accumulation (47%) and kitchen waste (44%). Moreover, 89% of respondents were aware of the potential for disease transmission. Although 98% of households reported practicing rat control, only 12% did so specifically to prevent disease risks. In conclusion, while knowledge of rat-borne disease transmission was relatively high among respondents, their attitudes and practices toward effective prevention remained limited.

Keywords: Perception, risk, transmission, disease, domestic rat, DRC

Post-Buharinomics agriculture in Nigeria: What next for policy, practice, and productivity?

Sanusi Mohammed SADIQ — 2025-12-15

The Buhari administration (2015–2023) implemented significant reforms in Nigeria’s agricultural sector through various policies aimed at reviving local food production, reducing import dependency, and improving rural livelihoods. However, challenges such as insecurity, poor infrastructure, policy inconsistency, and funding bottlenecks stymied optimal productivity. As Nigeria transitions into the post-Buharinomics era, urgent questions arise regarding the direction of agricultural policy and its impact on food security, economic diversification, and sustainable development. This paper synthesizes the recent agricultural experience under Buhari, outlines key challenges, and offers a roadmap for the post-Buhari period.

Keywords: Food security, Growth, Policy, Reforms, Nigeria

Impact of Moringa oleifera Lam. on anemia: A litterature review

Naima BENNOUR — 2025-12-15

Anemia is a widespread global health issue, affecting over two billion individuals, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Vulnerable populations such as children under five and pregnant women are disproportionately affected, with significant consequences for cognitive development, maternal health, and productivity. Moringa oleifera Lam., also known as the “miracle tree” or “tree of life,” has long been used in traditional medicine for its nutritional and therapeutic benefits, particularly in reducing anemia. This review evaluates clinical evidence supporting the use of Moringa oleifera as a natural therapeutic for anemia and discusses its potential advantages over conventional treatments such as iron supplements and fortified foods. A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, Elsevier, Springer, and academic books up to April 2024. Keywords included “Moringa oleifera,” “anemia,” and “clinical trials.” From an initial pool of 80 studies, 65 were excluded due to duplication or lack of relevance. The remaining 15 full-text articles were reviewed, and 12 met the inclusion criteria. Moringa was administered in various forms, including leaf powder, extracts, capsules, and fortified foods. The selected studies included 1,084 participants from diverse regions, with intervention durations ranging from 4 weeks to 6 months. Moringa oleifera supplementation led to significant improvements in anemia-related biomarkers, such as hemoglobin levels and hematological indices including hematocrit and red blood cell count. Mild gastrointestinal side effects were reported in a few cases but resolved spontaneously. Nevertheless, additional high-quality studies are warranted to further evaluate the plant’s efficacy and safety.

Keywords: Moringa oleifera, Anemia, Hemoglobin, Clinical Trials, Iron Deficiency, Malnutrition