Moroccan Journal of Agricultural Sciences

Combining ability and heterosis for flax straw and seed yield components

Sabah M. ABO EL-KOMSAN — 2025-07-01

Fifteen crosses generated from six diverse parents in half diallel mating design were evaluated in 2020/2021 season to estimate combining ability and heterosis in flax for improving yield and its various components. The analysis of data showed that variance due to genotypes, parents and crosses were highly significant, indicating sufficient variability existed in populations. Variance of parents vs. crosses as an indication to average heterosis was significant for all the studied traits except technical length and fibre percentage traits. The analysis for combining ability illustrated significant variance due to both general combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) for all the studied traits, indicating presence of both additive and non-additive gene actions in the expression for these traits. GCA/SCA ratio was more than unity for all studied traits except number of basal branches and number of capsules/plant traits, indicating that additive gene effects were more important than non-additive gene effects for control the inheritance of these traits. S.620/1/3 (P₁) was good combiner for all studied traits and Sakha 3 (P₂) and Belinka (P₃) were good combiners for most of the studied traits. Six crosses were the good combination for the most of the studied traits and particularly three crosses (S. 620/1/3 x Sakha 3, S. 620/1/3 x Belinka and S. 620/1/3 x Sozana) exhibited positive significant heterosis for most of the studied traits. Therefore, good combiners and best crosses combinations can be used for improvement of yield and their components in the programs of flax breeding.

Key words: Flax, combining ability, heterosis, gene action

Legume crops enhance water use efficiency under intercropping system with wheat

Abd El-Hafeez ZOHRY — 2025-07-01

A comparative analysis of three legume crops (faba bean, peas, and clover) as intercrops with wheat was conducted under three irrigation treatments (100%, 85%, and 70% ETc) to evaluate their contributions to enhancing the complementary effect that improves water usage and wheat production. The irrigation water applied to wheat intercropping systems was equivalent to that applied to sole wheat, indicating that both intercrops utilized the irrigation designated for sole wheat. The faba bean-wheat intercropping system exhibited the greatest water utilization and soil accessible nitrogen across the three irrigation regimens. The production of intercropped wheat was maximized in the peas intercropping system, in contrast to the yield of sole wheat. The intercropping system of peas achieved the highest land equivalent ratio (LER), water equivalent ratio (WER), and change in water use, indicating enhanced water use efficiency. In an irrigation scenario of 85% ETc, the LER and WER for the peas intercropping system exceeded those of the faba bean intercropping system under 100% ETc. The intercropping system with peas had the highest monetary advantage index value. This suggests that, in the context of limited water resources, intercropping peas with wheat is advisable to enhance the utilization of available water resources.

Keywords: faba bean, peas, clover, available soil N, land and water equivalent ratios, change in water use, momentary advantage index

Correlation and path analysis in rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) genotypes under heat stress condition

Nadir Ali BHANGAR — 2025-07-01

This investigation assessed the genetic potential of 20 rapeseed genotypes under heat stress during the Rabi season 2020–21 at Sindh Agriculture University, Tandojam, using a randomized complete block design with three replications. Seven agronomic traits were evaluated: plant height, branches per plant, siliques per plant, silique length, yield per plant, seed index, and oil content. All traits exhibited significant variation, indicating broad genetic diversity. Punjab Sarson outperformed others in multiple traits, while PARC Canola, Hbo-555, and Faisal Canola showed high seed yields under stress. Significant positive correlations with seed yield per plant were found for plant height (0.349**), siliques per plant (0.610**), silique length (0.319*), seed index (0.313*), and oil content (0.266*). Path analysis revealed that siliques per plant (1.792) and oil content (2.379) had the strongest direct effects on seed yield, making them effective targets for selection. However, heritability for all traits was low under heat stress, suggesting that selection should be delayed until later segregating generations for better genetic gain.

Key words: Correlation, rapeseed, path analysis, heat stress, heritability

In vitro evaluation of some plant extracts for the management of Alternaria solani causing early blight of tomato

Yahuza LURWANU — 2025-07-01

Tomato early blight caused by Alternaria solani is an economically important disease causing threat to tomato cultivation wherever it’s grown. This study evaluated the effect of three different plant extracts Neem (Azadirachta indica), Garlic (Allium sativa) and Ginger (Zingiber officinale) against Alternaria solani the causative agent of early blight of tomato. The experiment was 3 × 5 factorial pitted in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). The treatment were garlic, ginger and neem extracts at four different concentration (25%, 50%, 75% and 100%) control and check which were replicated three times. Data were recorded on mycelial growth of the fungus and percent growth inhibition of the extracts against A. solani. The result from the study revealed that neem extract had the least mycelial growth as well as higher percent growth inhibition compared to other treatments, followed by garlic throughout the inoculation periods. Plant extracts at 75% and 100% had the least mycelial growth compared to the control. Plant extracts at lower concentration of 25 and 50% exhibited the least percent growth inhibition compared to the control. Neem and garlic extracts at 75% and 100% concentration significantly inhibited the growth of the fungus and could therefore be recommended for further studies in the screen house and field to evaluate their efficacies against early blight of tomato under field condition.

Keywords: Plant extract, mycelial growth, mycelial growth inhibition, neem, garlic, ginger

Agri-Fintech solutions for youth: Developing financial products tailored for young Nigerian farmers

Sanusi Mohammed SADIQ — 2025-07-01

Access to finance remains a critical barrier for young Nigerian farmers, despite agriculture being a pivotal sector for job creation and food security. Agri-fintech—the intersection of agriculture and financial technology—has emerged as a transformative avenue for delivering customized financial products to this demographic. This research review explores the landscape of agri-fintech innovations tailored for young farmers in Nigeria, assesses the suitability of current financial products, examines theoretical and conceptual models underpinning youth engagement in agri-finance, and synthesizes empirical findings from recent studies. Key themes include mobile lending, blockchain-enabled supply chains, micro-insurance, and digital savings. The paper concludes with policy implications for youth-centric agri-fintech design, financial inclusion, and sustainable agricultural development.

Keywords: Agri-fintech, Youth, Innovation, Development, Nigeria, Rural

Women and carbon farming cooperatives: A model for climate-smart agriculture

Sanusi Mohammed SADIQ — 2025-07-01

The intersection of gender empowerment, cooperative farming, and climate resilience offers a promising model for sustainable agriculture. This review explores the role of women-led carbon farming cooperatives as a vehicle for promoting climate-smart agriculture (CSA). By synthesizing recent empirical studies and theoretical advancements, the article illustrates how gender-inclusive cooperative models contribute to soil carbon sequestration, climate resilience, and sustainable livelihoods. It underscores structural and institutional challenges while advocating for policy interventions that enhance women’s participation and leadership in CSA cooperatives. The review reveals that empowering women through cooperatives not only bridges gender gaps in agriculture but also accelerates the global transition to climate-resilient food systems.

Keywords: Agriculture, Climate, Development, Gender, Resilience, Rural, Sustainability

Biotechnological valorization of citrus sorting rejects into bioethanol and acetic acid using indigenous microorganisms in Morocco

Kawtar FARIH — 2025-07-01

The expanding citrus industry in Morocco generates large volumes of underutilized by-products and sorting rejects. Rich in fermentable sugars and bioactive compounds, these residues offer potential for biotechnological conversion. This study focused on valorizing citrus sorting rejects by isolating native microorganisms for bioethanol and acetic acid production. Juices from sorting rejects of four citrus varieties were used as fermentation substrates. Yeast and acetic acid bacteria were isolated from Moroccan sourdough and traditional vinegars, then screened for fermentation efficiency. Yeast strain L4 and acetic acid bacteria strain AV22 showed superior performance compared to a commercial Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain. L4 produced 4.03% (v/v) ethanol from Sanguinelli juice without sucrose, and 11.4% with added sucrose. The fermented must yielded 8.40 L of vinegar containing 5.56% (w/v) acetic acid in a 10 L bioreactor, and was successfully scaled up to 80 L of vinegar with 7.0% (w/v) acidity in a 500 L pilot-scale acetifier. Sensory evaluation by 51 untrained panelists confirmed the vinegar’s high acceptability. This work demonstrates the potential of indigenous strains in converting citrus waste into value-added products, promoting sustainable waste management and circular bioeconomy practices. Future research will focus on process optimization, scaling up, and co-product recovery to improve economic feasibility.

Keywords: Yeast, acetic acid bacteria, bioethanol, acetic acid, citrus by-products, screening, fermentation, citrus vinegar, waste valorization