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

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, Cha

Integrated control strategies of invasive land snails

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, biocontro

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

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, Mormyrida

Impacts of sowing delay on summer corn in a Mediterranean sandy soil: Biomass production, nutrients uptake and nutritive value

Corn is a major forage in intensive dairy systems. In northern Morocco, the production of summer corn after spring corn became a common practice. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of sowing delay on the productivity, nutrient uptake, and forage quality of summer corn. An experiment was conducted during the summer of 2019. Four sowing dates (July 14, July 24, August 3, and August 13) were tested in a randomized complete block design with five replications. All the sowing dates were supplied with the same amount of nutrients. At harvest, the sowing delay induced a significant decline in biomass production for August 13 (-46%) compared to July 24. In addition, the highest stem height and stem diameter were recorded for the July 14 and July 24 sowing dates. The plant nutrients contents were similar for all the sowing dates. However, the N, K, Mg, Fe, Mn, and Zn uptake were significantly affected by the sowing dates. The lowest amount of N, K, Mg, Fe, Mn, and Zn uptake were recorded for the August 13 sowing date. Late summer sown corn appeared to use N and K less efficiently than earlier summer corn. This study can help producers to determine the appropriate sowing window for summer silage corn in the southern Mediterranean region especially in Loukkos region of Morocco. Keywords: N, P, K, nutrient use efficiency, biomass yield, sowing date, forage qualit

Carbon footprint of agro-industrial chains: A meta-analysis

The carbon footprint is one of the most important tools for monitoring greenhouse gas emissions and guiding decarbonization strategies and actions at any scale. This work consists of a literature synthesis based on meta-analysis to understand the logic of the carbon footprint of agri-food products. The literature search was carried out from 2009 to 2023 and after an initial search and review, a total of 154 articles were found. Most of this work was carried out in Europe, accounting for 42%. In terms of agricultural products, milk was the most studied animal product. For crop-based products, vegetable oils and vegetable crops were the main crops subject to carbon footprint calculations. From a methodological point of view, the life cycle assessment is the most widely used approach, especially for products of animal origin. For these products, it was found that the off-farm average (0.69 ± 0.79 Kg CO2 eq/FU) is significantly lower than the on-farm average (3.02 ± 3.18 Kg CO2 eq/FU). On the other hand, correlation analysis could not establish a relationship between production factors and carbon footprint. For plant products, the industrial part generates a more important footprint (65.2 Kg CO2eq/FU ± 70.9) than the agricultural part (20.0 Kg CO2eq/FU ± 18.8). In the agricultural part, nitrogen and phosphate fertilization contribute significantly to the carbon footprint (r=0.36 and 0.55 respectively). For the industrial part, electricity contributes to the carbon footprint with a significant correlation of 0.52. Keywords: Carbon footprint, greenhouse gas emissions, decarbonization strategies, agri-food products, meta-analysi

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

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 &nbsp

Alternative control of helminthosporium leaf spot on wheat using essential oils of Origanum compactum and Thymus satureioides

The production of cereals in Morocco has experienced fluctuations due to various factors, including cryptogamic diseases. The control of these diseases still relies heavily on chemical products that harm the environment. The objective of this study, was to test an alternative method that improves yield and is environmentally friendly in controlling helminthosporium leaf spot disease caused by Bipolaris sorokiniana, using essential oils extracted from medicinal plants. The effect of two essential oils, Origanum compactum and Thymus satureioides, was tested against helminthosporium leaf spot on four varieties of durum wheat (Triticum durum) and common wheat (Triticum aestivum). These two essential oils were applied to the aerial part at a concentration of 0.31 µl/ml for Origanum compactum essential oil and 1.25 µl/ml for Thymus satureioides essential oil. The different parameters evaluated included the types of infection, the greenness rate on the top two leaves at the flowering stage, grain weight, the number of grains per spike, and the weight of a thousand grains. The results showed that both essential oils significantly reduced disease severity by 48% and increased grain yield by an average of 25% across all varieties used. Thymus satureioides was found to be more effective than Origanum compactum, reducing the infection rate by 52% and improving productivity by 50%. These results indicate that the control of this disease can be achieved without the use of synthetic chemical products. Keywords: Helminthosporium leaf spot, Wheat, Bipolaris sorokiniana, Alternative control, Essential oils, Origanum compactum, Thymus satureioide

Plants foraged by bees in the Luki Biosphere Reserve (DR Congo)

Melliferous plants are plant species from which bees collect substances (nectar, pollen and resin) to feed themselves and elaborate their various productions. In order to update the knowledge of the main species of plants visited by bees in the transition zone of the Luki Biosphere Reserve in DRC, we conducted an inventory during 4 years (2017, 2018, 2019 and 2021) at a rate of 4 trips per year and 2 trips per season. The inventory was carried out by eye within quadrants of 1100 m2 located in three habitats (savanna, forest and crop). The study showed the existence of a diversified flora made up of 35 foraged species, divided into 14 families. Among these, the most represented are Asteraceae (6 species), Fabaceae (5 species) and Rubiaceae (5 species). Moreover, bees were more attracted by white flowers (31.4%) followed by yellow flowers (20,0%)

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

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, ric

The Antibacterial effects and chicks quality response of copper nanoparticles of Japanese quail in hatching

An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of nano-copper at different levels (0, 14, 16 and 18 ppm named respectively as G1, G2, G3 and G4) as antibacterial against E. coli bacteria. Each group of 100 eggs was injected with E. coli bacteria (1 ml × 10-7) and was exposed to 38°C in the hatcher. Significant increase was observed in G1 for the E. coli and total count bacteria. There was significant improvement for G5 in abnormal chicks with significant improvement for G2, G3, and G4 in addled eggs, live pipped chicks and dead pipped chicks. Significant improvement was also observed for nano copper groups in activity, general situation, appearance and feather condition, case of yolk retracted inside the abdomen, navel case and residual yolk membrane. There was a significant decrease in cholesterol, glucose, and triglyceride for the G2, G3, and G4 groups and a significant increase for the G2 group in GSH. At the same time, a significant decrease in MDA in the G2 and G3 groups and a significant increase in AST enzyme for the G1 group were observed. Keywords: Antibacterial, nanotechnology, copper, hatching, Japanese quai