Moroccan Journal of Agricultural Sciences

Impact of heat stress on milk production performance of cattle in the suburban area of Ngaoundere, Cameroon

2025-03-01T23:59:58+01:00

This study aims to assess the impact of heat stress on milk production of cattle under sudano-guinean climate in the suburban area of the city of Ngaoundere (Cameroon). It was carried out on 98 cattle of different breeds and sexes in order to determine their stress situation by measuring the level of cortisol in their blood plasma and by calculating the temperature-humidity index (THI). It was seen that, about half of the cattle (49.0%) are under stress according to their cortisol level (higher than 11.7 ng/ml). Gudali (75.9%) and Holstein (41. 7%) were more stressed than Montbeliard (38.2%) and cross breeds (34.8%). Females (54.3%) were more stressed than males (23.5%). Gudali and Montbeliard cattle were more susceptible to heat stress with a higher THI mean (70.4) than Holstein (69.5) and crossbreeds (68.9). There was a significant difference in THI among breeds whereas no difference in THI between sexes was observed. Stressed cows have lower daily milk production (7.81 L) than unstressed cows (19.9 L). Meanwhile, milk production decreases as THI increased.

Keywords: Dairy cows, heat stress, cortisol, temperature-humidity index, Cameroon

Pathological abnormalities in genital tract of cows slaughtered at Yaounde (Cameroon)

2025-03-04T13:46:39+01:00

A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out on 500 cows randomly selected at the SODEPA slaughterhouse in Yaounde from March to October 2022. After slaughter, visual inspection, palpation and dissection of the entire genital tract of each cow made it possible to search for macroscopic pathological conditions. The average age, Body Condition Score (BCS) and weight of the animals were respectively 6.5 years; 3.1 and 261 kg. The M’Bororos breed was in the majority (66.6%). A percentage of 31.4% of cows were pregnant. The overall prevalence of pathologies of the genital organs was 51.4%, and the most represented were anestrus (19.6%), mucometra (10.8%), metritis (7.2%) and ovarian cysts (2.8%). Significant associations were observed between thin body condition (1-2) and anestrus, age range of 4-8 years and metritis and ovarian cysts. Anestrus, mucometra, metritis and ovarian cysts were the major pathologies responsible for infertility in cows and thin females, aged 4 to 8 years, were more sensitive.

Keywords: Cow, Genital pathologies, Slaughterhouse, Yaounde, Cameroon

Ethnozoological knowledge of reptile species involved in international trade: implications for sustainable conservation in Benin

2025-03-07T15:19:33+01:00

The objective of this work is to assess the evolution of international trade in reptile species in relation to their state of conservation at the national level. The study was carried out in southern Benin precisely in the municipalities with release sites. The sampling method used is the technique of stratified random sampling. The ethnozoological knowledge was therefore evaluated by a survey of healers, hunters, farmers. Various ethnozoological parameters were determined for each target reptile species. The target species are those regularly and legally exported over two decades. These species are locally known and there is a diversity of local names reinforced by a high ethnic coverage rate (T_CE). The informants have a very good homogeneity of knowledge (IE >= 0.5) and a diversity of uses of reptiles in the study area is noticed. A total of thirty-two (32) uses were obtained, of which meat consumption (95%) is the most important. This confirms the fact that the endogenous values relating to reptile species are increasingly abandoned in favor of food uses. Note also that of all the types of specimens cited, only the whole animal is used much more. This confirms the drastic regression of reptile populations.

Keywords: Reptile species, CITES-Benin, Endogenous knowledge, Conservation

Indigenous ecological knowledge, conservation status, and spatial distribution of Sterculia setigera in Togo

2025-02-21T13:13:55+01:00

Indigenous knowledge of plant resources is very useful for their sustainable management. The present study aimed at understanding the indigenous knowledge for sustainable management of Sterculia setigera in Togo. In particular, it collected information on the ethno-ecological knowledge of S. setigera, its habitat, population dynamics, traditional management and spatial distribution in Togo. Data were collected through semi-structured individual and focus group interviews with 376 informants (almost all Togolese ethnic groups: 29), coupled with direct field observations. A total of 553 occurrences were recorded during the field observations. The results showed that knowledge of the species' habitat and population dynamics varied by geographical area, while management was sometimes influenced by socio-cultural considerations and use values. Human activities were identified as a major threat affecting the population dynamics of the species. The projection of these on the Togolese eco-floristic map showed that eco-floristic zones I and III were identified as areas with a high occurrence of S. setigera, while the species is almost absent in the semi-deciduous forest zone (eco-floristic zone IV). Further research on how climate change affects the species' habitat, propagation and planting should be encouraged.

Keywords: Sterculia setigera, ethno-ecology, distribution, Togo

Massive almond tree mortality in the central High Atlas, Morocco

2025-03-07T00:07:30+01:00

Morocco has been experiencing six consecutive years of drought due to a decline in rainfall linked to climate change and this have threatened water supplies and hit agriculture and the economy in general. The main objective of the article is to document the sudden massive death of almond trees in the central High Atlas Mountains during 2022-2025. In March-August 2022, an average of 24.7% of dead trees was identified among the 4 074 almond trees in the study area. This average has increased to 88.2% in February-August 2024. In all the 17 studied fields, the average number of dead trees has risen rapidly in 2023. The results of monitoring almond trees in the field showed that tree mortality occurred mainly between March 2023 and July 2023, and that since September 2023, 88.2% of trees became totally dead. In the study area, almond trees play very important economic and ecological roles. Therefore, it is necessary to quickly find solutions to protect the remaining almond trees, as well as to help farmers and residents to obtain knowledge, techniques and funding necessary to carry out a regional campaign to plant almond trees in areas where trees have died.

Keywords: Almond decline, tree mortality, Morocco, Drought

In vitro efficacy of some fungicides for the management of Rice Blast Pathogen Magnaporthe oryzae

2025-03-07T00:08:21+01:00

Fungicides are used in agriculture for the management of plant diseases for effective food production. In this study, we conducted an in vitro experiment using three synthetic fungicides on mycelium growth of Magnaporthe oryzae. Among the tested fungicides, percent mycelial growth inhibition was higher in Contaf 100 % concentration (86.1%) followed by Contaf 50 % concentration (85.0 %). The least inhibition was observed in Raksha 50% concentration with 43.3% inhibition. We also evaluated the effect of seed dressing chemicals on the percentage germination of rice seeds. The results showed that all seeds treated had over 80 % germination at 7 days after sowing (DAS) compared to untreated (control) seeds which had only 65 % germination. Germination was higher (85 %) at 7 days after sowing, with seeds treated with Raksha, followed by Star-dress with 84 % while the least germination was observed with the seeds treated with Apama plus 81 %. Furthermore, the impact of seed dressing chemicals on the rice seedling vigor was also evaluated. Highest seedling vigor was observed on seeds treated with Star-dress with mean seedling length of (22.5 cm) which showed the highest vigor index of 1893, followed by Apama plus with mean seedling length of (22.1 cm) and a vigor index of 1792. Least seedling length of (18.9 cm) was observed with Raksha which was even lower than the control (20.4 cm). Our results suggested that fungicides can be effectively administered for the management of plant diseases to support seed germination and seedling vigor.

Keywords: seed germination, seedling vigor index, seed dressing chemicals, Magnaporthe oryzae

Effect of different plant densities on growth, yield and nutritional quality of sesame (Sesamum indicum) in Morocco

2025-03-07T00:35:52+01:00

A field experiment was carried out to assess the effect of plant density on growth, yield components and nutritional quality of Sesamum indicum in Taounate, Morocco. The experiment was a randomized block design using three levels of plant density: 100 10⁴ plants ha^-1, 11 10⁴ plants ha^-1, and 4 10⁴ plants ha^-1. Results showed that plant density affected the majority of measured parameters. Low plant density (4 10⁴ plants ha^-1) increased plant length (150 cm), number of capsules per plant (94.3), number of seeds per capsule (61.2), and capsules length (29.8 mm). On the other hand, seed yield, oil yield, and protein yield increased with increasing plant density. In conclusion, it is recommended to adjust the plant density to 100 10⁴ plants per hectare under the conditions of Taounate, Morocco to achieve maximum yield with better nutritional quality.

Key words: Sesamum indicum, Plant density, Growth, Yields, Nutritional quality