Moroccan Journal of Agricultural Sciences

Sustainability of subsurface dams: What influences community satisfaction in Korlongo, a village in Chad?

Moukhtar ABBAS, Remy COURCIER, Koffi ALINON, Abdelgalil ELTIGANI — Tue, 17 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0200

Subsurface dams are important in improving water supply in arid and semi-arid regions; however, subsurface dams' sustainability depends largely on local community satisfaction. This study examines the factors influencing community satisfaction of the Korlongo village in Guéra, Chad. Data from 40 families representing 5% of the village population using the dam was collected using a questionnaire designed to collect data on the main factors influencing community satisfaction. These are the size of the family (adults), the size of the family (children), water consumption in litres per day, who transports water, community participation in building, operation and maintenance of the Dam and the community satisfaction level. The results show that the size of the family in terms of adults was small (62.5%), family size in terms of children was large (42.5%), water consumption per day is large (40.0%), young people (60.0%) who are transporting water. The community has been largely (95%) involved in the operation (no maintenance of the dam), and 72.5% is significantly involved in the construction of the dam's gravel well. Statistical analysis using linear regression significantly predicted community satisfaction of the dam from the size of family (adults), size of family (children), water consumption in litres per day, who transports water, community participation in building, operation and maintenance of the Dam. The findings are important for the sustainability of the subsurface dam and will contribute to improving water management.

Keywords: Sustainable subsurface dams, community participation and satisfaction, Chad

Integrated control strategies of invasive land snails

Ikhlasse ELFOUDALI, Lahsen El GHADRAOUI, Rachid LAHLALI, Rachid AKKI — Sun, 15 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0200

The land’s snail Theba Pisana (Helicidae) is a very harmful snail that is found on some crops and lives on attacking fruits and ornamental plants. It has another name, which is the white garden snail. Theba Pisana is native to the western Palearctic but it became invasive in many parts of the world. It negatively affects agriculture industries. In this review, we will report the results of some studies about the biology-ecology of the white snail and some other snails. Control strategies using trapping, essential oil plants, natural enemies and chemical pesticides, will be presented as a part of an integrated pest management against snails in order to evaluate their effectiveness, sustainability, and feasibility in fields.

Keywords: White snail, Theba Pisana, crops, pest management, biocontrol

Beyond Industrial Agriculture: A Case for Agroecology Adoption in Sefrou, Morocco's Semi Arid Region

Sun, 15 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0200

Modern agricultural practices , reliant on chemicals and non-renewable resources, have harmed the environment, public health, and the economy. This study proposes agroecology as a sustainable alternative, emphasizing traditional agricultural wisdom over conventional methods. However, there is limited research on implementing agroecology for food security in semi-arid climates like Sefrou, in the Fez-Meknes region, Morocco. To address this, surveys of local sellers and farmers were conducted to identify challenges to food security, and interviews with agroecology experts were held to gather relevant practices and advice. Findings reveal that agroecological principles, such as permaculture, are adaptable even for small-scale farms, suggesting the feasibility of a holistic system that coexists harmoniously with the environment. The study highlights the need to educate the local population about sustainable agricultural approaches, emphasizing soil health, water conservation, biodiversity preservation, and the careful use of chemicals. By integrating insights from local stakeholders, farmers, and experts, the study provides valuable recommendations for promoting a sustainable agricultural paradigm in Morocco's semi-arid regions. This perspective aims to guide policymakers, farmers, and stakeholders toward an environmentally friendly and economically viable agricultural future.

Keywords: Agroecology, Morocco, Modern Farming Systems, Permaculture, and Pesticides

Effect of different growing nutrient solutions on Azolla pinnata productivity under Egyptian conditions

Ahmed M. TAHA, Hamdy E. KHALIFA — Mon, 16 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0200

A field experiment was conducted from 24 June to 31 December, 2023 in a private farm (30° 22’ 01.0” N and 31° 36’ 26.1” E), Egypt, to test the effects of two nutrient solutions compared with farmer practice on Azolla pinnata fresh biomass, tissue-chemical constituents, tissue-NPK concentrations and the amount of water applied and its water productivity. Results showed that average fresh yields were 54.9, 44.1, and 40.9 t/ha/month respectively for nutrient solution A, solution B and farmer practice. Average Azolla pinnata fresh yield during summer season was higher than that recorded during autumn season. In Azolla's tissues, average Total Carbohydrates (TC) values were 32.3, 31.4, and 32.7%, average Total Fiber (TF) contents were 15.9, 15.7, and 15.8%, average AA values were 14.0, 12.6, and 13.1%, and average Crude Protein (CP) values were 14.0, 12.6, and 13.1% for solution A, solution B and farmer practice treatments, respectively. Average tissue-N values were 2.41, 2.21, and 2.14%, tissue-P values were 0.54, 0.40, and 0.40%, and average tissue-K values were 1.22, 1.21, and 1.25% for the same respective treatments. Total amounts of applied water during the growing period was 4071 m³/ha and average water productivity values were 96.4, 80.4, and 73.6 kg fresh yield/m³ for the three respective treatments. It could be concluded that, the multiple contents of growing nutrient solution significantly increase Azolla pinnata biomass. It also increased the chemical constituents of the plant, tissue-NPK, and water productivity. Ponded water contains macro- and micro-nutrients and can be used to irrigate other crops in the farm.

Keywords: Azolla pinnata, biomass, chemical constituents, tissue-NPK, water productivity

In vitro and in vivo biological control of Alternaria alternata fungus by Bacillus spp. in Citrus fruit

Sun, 15 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0200

Alternaria diseases pose a significant threat to the citrus industry worldwide. They are caused mainly by Alternaria alternata (Fr.) Keissl, and considered to be one of the prevalent diseases in Morocco, affecting both the quantity and quality of citrus fruit. The use of fungicides to manage this disease poses adverse effects on human health and the environment, as well as the potential development of new resistant strains. In response, biological control methods have gained attention as an alternative to chemical treatments. In this context, this study aims to investigate the antagonistic potential of three strains of Bacillus spp. (O1, O2, O3) against two strains of Alternaria alternata (Alt1 and Alt2), and compare their efficacy with two chemical fungicides: Imazalil (IMZ) and Azoxystrobin (AZT). In vitro experiments demonstrated significant inhibition of radial growth by all three bacterial strains against both A. alternata strains. The in vitro mycelial growth inhibition was particularly notable against the first strain, reaching approximately 60%, compared to 25% for the second. In vivo trials involving artificial inoculation of 'Valencia late' orange fruits with both Alternaria strains showed that Bacillus spp. effectively reduced disease development. Bacillus sp. O3 exhibited the highest inhibition percentage at 43%, with a highly significant difference observed compared to the control. As for the fungicides, Imazalil exhibited complete in vitro inhibition of A. alternata (100%) at 0.01 ppm, whereas the applied concentrations of azoxystrobin (250 ppm, 450 ppm, and 1000 ppm) notably reduced disease severity in inoculated citrus fruits by up to 55%. The assayed strains of Bacillus spp. displayed commendable efficacy in controlling the pathogen, yielding competitive outcomes similar to the effectiveness of the two approved fungicides.

Keywords: Alternaria alternata, citrus fruit, Bacillus spp. fungicides

Epidemiology of Wheat Yellow Rust (Puccinia striiformis) in the Saïss plain during the 2017-2019 growing seasons

Ilham DEHBI, Chaimae EL HMAIDI, Hamid MAZOUZ, Rachid LAHLALI — Mon, 26 Aug 2024 00:00:00 +0200

Wheat is one of the most widely consumed cereals globally, with bread wheat dominating the majority of cereal fields. However, in recent years, yields have declined due partly to infectious fungal diseases, particularly obligate crop pathogens like yellow rust (Yr). This study examines the epidemiology of yellow rust (Puccinia striiformis) across 99 wheat fields in the Saïss region, Morocco. The prevalence of yellow rust was found to be 56.2% in bread wheat and 43.7% in durum wheat. From 2017 to 2019, overall prevalence increased to 34.9%, with Taoujdate, L'Mhaya and Aïn Jemâa fields being the most affected. Most of the inspected wheat fields exhibited low yellow rust severity, with 78% of fields showing less than 5% severity. The highest severity recorded was 15% in Taoujdate, while the lowest was 1.15% in Haj Kaddour. These findings can feed decision support tools for managing yellow rust outbreaks, contributing to environmentally friendly and sustainable wheat production in Morocco.

Keywords: Bread wheat, Durum wheat, Prevalence, Incidence, Severity, Epidemiology