Impact of irrigation during flowering and fruit growth on fruit yield and quality of the cactus Opuntia spp.

peer reviewedMost plantations of cactus pear are not irrigated in Morocco and fruits are tiny. The impacts of irrigation during flowering (FLO) and fruit growth (FRG) on fruit yield and quality were monitored along two years on three varieties of cactus pear. In 2011, irrigation treatments were: T1 (0 mm), T2 (30 mm during FLO and 30 mm during FRG) and T3 (30 mm during FRG only). In 2012, irrigation treatments increased to 60 mm during FLO and FRG. The irrigation treatments were applied in 8 (T3) or 16 (T2) watering, once every three days. Interactions between varieties and treatments were significant for fruit yields and for yield components. In 2011, T2 and T3 irrigations had a negative effect on ‘Aissa’ and ‘Moussa’ (-2.8 kg/ plant) and T2 had a positive effect on ‘Achefri’ (+2.7 kg/plant). Fruit quality was not affected by irrigation. In 2012, all the varieties responded positively to irrigation: ‘Achefri’ and ‘Aissa’ yielded very significantly more with T3 (plus 63 % and 30 % resp.) and ‘Moussa’ with T2 (+30 %). All irrigations increased fruit number and size. Irrigation had no significant effect on the fruit quality or slightly decreased the content of total sugars and titratable acidity

Global burden of 369 diseases and injuries in 204 countries and territories, 1990–2019: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

Background: In an era of shifting global agendas and expanded emphasis on non-communicable diseases and injuries along with communicable diseases, sound evidence on trends by cause at the national level is essential. The Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) provides a systematic scientific assessment of published, publicly available, and contributed data on incidence, prevalence, and mortality for a mutually exclusive and collectively exhaustive list of diseases and injuries. Methods: GBD estimates incidence, prevalence, mortality, years of life lost (YLLs), years lived with disability (YLDs), and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) due to 369 diseases and injuries, for two sexes, and for 204 countries and territories. Input data were extracted from censuses, household surveys, civil registration and vital statistics, disease registries, health service use, air pollution monitors, satellite imaging, disease notifications, and other sources. Cause-specific death rates and cause fractions were calculated using the Cause of Death Ensemble model and spatiotemporal Gaussian process regression. Cause-specific deaths were adjusted to match the total all-cause deaths calculated as part of the GBD population, fertility, and mortality estimates. Deaths were multiplied by standard life expectancy at each age to calculate YLLs. A Bayesian meta-regression modelling tool, DisMod-MR 2.1, was used to ensure consistency between incidence, prevalence, remission, excess mortality, and cause-specific mortality for most causes. Prevalence estimates were multiplied by disability weights for mutually exclusive sequelae of diseases and injuries to calculate YLDs. We considered results in the context of the Socio-demographic Index (SDI), a composite indicator of income per capita, years of schooling, and fertility rate in females younger than 25 years. Uncertainty intervals (UIs) were generated for every metric using the 25th and 975th ordered 1000 draw values of the posterior distribution. Findings: Global health has steadily improved over the past 30 years as measured by age-standardised DALY rates. After taking into account population growth and ageing, the absolute number of DALYs has remained stable. Since 2010, the pace of decline in global age-standardised DALY rates has accelerated in age groups younger than 50 years compared with the 1990–2010 time period, with the greatest annualised rate of decline occurring in the 0–9-year age group. Six infectious diseases were among the top ten causes of DALYs in children younger than 10 years in 2019: lower respiratory infections (ranked second), diarrhoeal diseases (third), malaria (fifth), meningitis (sixth), whooping cough (ninth), and sexually transmitted infections (which, in this age group, is fully accounted for by congenital syphilis; ranked tenth). In adolescents aged 10–24 years, three injury causes were among the top causes of DALYs: road injuries (ranked first), self-harm (third), and interpersonal violence (fifth). Five of the causes that were in the top ten for ages 10–24 years were also in the top ten in the 25–49-year age group: road injuries (ranked first), HIV/AIDS (second), low back pain (fourth), headache disorders (fifth), and depressive disorders (sixth). In 2019, ischaemic heart disease and stroke were the top-ranked causes of DALYs in both the 50–74-year and 75-years-and-older age groups. Since 1990, there has been a marked shift towards a greater proportion of burden due to YLDs from non-communicable diseases and injuries. In 2019, there were 11 countries where non-communicable disease and injury YLDs constituted more than half of all disease burden. Decreases in age-standardised DALY rates have accelerated over the past decade in countries at the lower end of the SDI range, while improvements have started to stagnate or even reverse in countries with higher SDI. Interpretation: As disability becomes an increasingly large component of disease burden and a larger component of health expenditure, greater research and developm nt investment is needed to identify new, more effective intervention strategies. With a rapidly ageing global population, the demands on health services to deal with disabling outcomes, which increase with age, will require policy makers to anticipate these changes. The mix of universal and more geographically specific influences on health reinforces the need for regular reporting on population health in detail and by underlying cause to help decision makers to identify success stories of disease control to emulate, as well as opportunities to improve. Funding: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. © 2020 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an Open Access article under the CC BY 4.0 licens

Global age-sex-specific fertility, mortality, healthy life expectancy (HALE), and population estimates in 204 countries and territories, 1950-2019 : a comprehensive demographic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

Background: Accurate and up-to-date assessment of demographic metrics is crucial for understanding a wide range of social, economic, and public health issues that affect populations worldwide. The Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2019 produced updated and comprehensive demographic assessments of the key indicators of fertility, mortality, migration, and population for 204 countries and territories and selected subnational locations from 1950 to 2019. Methods: 8078 country-years of vital registration and sample registration data, 938 surveys, 349 censuses, and 238 other sources were identified and used to estimate age-specific fertility. Spatiotemporal Gaussian process regression (ST-GPR) was used to generate age-specific fertility rates for 5-year age groups between ages 15 and 49 years. With extensions to age groups 10–14 and 50–54 years, the total fertility rate (TFR) was then aggregated using the estimated age-specific fertility between ages 10 and 54 years. 7417 sources were used for under-5 mortality estimation and 7355 for adult mortality. ST-GPR was used to synthesise data sources after correction for known biases. Adult mortality was measured as the probability of death between ages 15 and 60 years based on vital registration, sample registration, and sibling histories, and was also estimated using ST-GPR. HIV-free life tables were then estimated using estimates of under-5 and adult mortality rates using a relational model life table system created for GBD, which closely tracks observed age-specific mortality rates from complete vital registration when available. Independent estimates of HIV-specific mortality generated by an epidemiological analysis of HIV prevalence surveys and antenatal clinic serosurveillance and other sources were incorporated into the estimates in countries with large epidemics. Annual and single-year age estimates of net migration and population for each country and territory were generated using a Bayesian hierarchical cohort component model that analysed estimated age-specific fertility and mortality rates along with 1250 censuses and 747 population registry years. We classified location-years into seven categories on the basis of the natural rate of increase in population (calculated by subtracting the crude death rate from the crude birth rate) and the net migration rate. We computed healthy life expectancy (HALE) using years lived with disability (YLDs) per capita, life tables, and standard demographic methods. Uncertainty was propagated throughout the demographic estimation process, including fertility, mortality, and population, with 1000 draw-level estimates produced for each metric. Findings: The global TFR decreased from 2·72 (95% uncertainty interval [UI] 2·66–2·79) in 2000 to 2·31 (2·17–2·46) in 2019. Global annual livebirths increased from 134·5 million (131·5–137·8) in 2000 to a peak of 139·6 million (133·0–146·9) in 2016. Global livebirths then declined to 135·3 million (127·2–144·1) in 2019. Of the 204 countries and territories included in this study, in 2019, 102 had a TFR lower than 2·1, which is considered a good approximation of replacement-level fertility. All countries in sub-Saharan Africa had TFRs above replacement level in 2019 and accounted for 27·1% (95% UI 26·4–27·8) of global livebirths. Global life expectancy at birth increased from 67·2 years (95% UI 66·8–67·6) in 2000 to 73·5 years (72·8–74·3) in 2019. The total number of deaths increased from 50·7 million (49·5–51·9) in 2000 to 56·5 million (53·7–59·2) in 2019. Under-5 deaths declined from 9·6 million (9·1–10·3) in 2000 to 5·0 million (4·3–6·0) in 2019. Global population increased by 25·7%, from 6·2 billion (6·0–6·3) in 2000 to 7·7 billion (7·5–8·0) in 2019. In 2019, 34 countries had negative natural rates of increase; in 17 of these, the population declined because immigration was not sufficient to counteract the negative rate of decline. Globally, HALE increased from 58·6 years (56·1–60·8) in 2000 to 63·5 years (60·8–66·1) in 2019. HALE increased in 202 of 204 countries and territories between 2000 and 2019

Effect of NP fertilizing on fruit yield and fruit quality of cactus pear

The goal of this research work was to study the effect of NP fertilizing on fruit yield and fruit quality of cactus pear ‘Moussa’ grown in Agadir area. Treatments of fertilization used were (in kgN-kgP2O5/ha): T1: 0N-0P, T2: 0N-80P, T3: 40N-40P, T4: 60N-0P and T5: 60N-80P. They were applied in April 2011 and repeated in February 2012. Obtained results showed that fruit yield was higher in treatments fertilized in N and fruit size was higher in treatments fertilized in P. In the first year (2010-2011), fruit yield was higher in T5 (20 kg/plant) than in the other treatments (14-18 kg/plant). Fruit weight was higher in T5 (146.04 g) than in the other tratments (132.48-141.79 g). In the second year (2011-2012), fruit yield was higher in T5 (32 kg/plant) than in not or less fertilized treatments (20 kg/plant in T2 and 17 kg in T1). The fruit size of T5 and T2 (176.01 g and 160.24 respectively in weight) were higher than that of the other treatments (148.39 g in T4 and 120.67 g in T1). Chemical analysis of the fruits showed that the organoleptic characters of the fruits (rate in juice, pH, titratable acidity, Brix degree, total sugars) were different between treatments of fertilization and the years of experiments

Effets de la fertilisation NP et de l'irrigation à des périodes critiques sur le rendement et la qualité des fruits du figuier de Barbarie (Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill.)

Selon la classification révisée récemment, les cactus appartiennent à la famille des Opuntiaceae Desv. (Synon. Cactaceae Juss.), dont le genre-type Opuntia Mill. est économiquement le plus important car il comprend un ensemble de variétés qui participent à la plupart des systèmes agricoles des régions arides et semi-arides. Récemment, dans le Maghreb, la culture de plusieurs espèces et variétés s'est développée à de fins de production fruitière commercialisable, c’est-à-dire répondant à des critères de qualité de plus en plus sévères et exigeant des technologies culturales précises. La partie expérimentale de notre étude s'est déroulée pendant deux années dans le Sud du Maroc, région d'Agadir, sur trois variétés représentatives. Les essais ont été réalisés à la ferme expérimentale de l'Institut Agronomique et Vétérinaire Hassan II, Complexe Horticole d'Agadir (30°36' Nord, 9°36' Est; altitude: 32 m). Le site est caractérisé par des températures moyennes mensuelles qui varient de 8°C en janvier à 31°C en juillet, la température journalière maximale pouvant atteindre 45°C en juillet-aout. La pluviométrie annuelle varie de 100 à 200 mm. La durée moyenne d'ensoleillement est de 8 heures par jour. Un premier objectif de notre étude a été de préciser les réponses quantitatives (rendement en fruits) et qualitatives à des apports modérés d'eau d'irrigation. Un deuxième objectif consistait à évaluer les effets d'apports limités de fertilisation minérale azotée et phosphatée, ces deux éléments majeurs étant les plus susceptibles de se trouver déficitaires dans le contexte pédoclimatique propre à la région. Un troisième objectif a été de préciser la phénologie des trois variétés - surtout les phases de développement floral et fruitier - afin de mettre en évidence d'éventuels impacts des interventions culturales sur la phénologie et de mieux situer les moments de ces interventions en les reliant de manière plus objective à la physiologie du développement. Dans l'étude sur l'irrigation, les variétés utilisées ont été les inermes 'Aissa' et 'Moussa' d'Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill. et l'épineuse 'Achefri’ d’O. megacantha Salm Dyck. En première année, caractérisée par un printemps pluvieux, les traitements d'irrigation ont été: (T1) 0 mm, (T2) 30 mm à la floraison et 30 mm au grossissement des fruits et (T3) 30 mm seulement au grossissement des fruits; les irrigations ont été appliquées entre la mi-avril et la mi-juin. Les irrigations T2 et T3 ont eu un effet négatif sur le rendement en fruits des variétés inermes 'Aissa' et 'Moussa' (-2,8 kg/plant) et T2 a eu un effet positif hautement significatif (p <0,01) sur la variété épineuse 'Achefri’ (+ 2,7 kg/plant ou +18 %). La qualité des fruits n'a pas été affectée par l'irrigation. En deuxième année, caractérisée par un printemps sec, les traitements d’irrigation ont été: (T1) 0 mm, (T2) 60 mm à la floraison et 60 mm au grossissement des fruits et (T3) 60 mm seulement au grossissement des fruits; les irrigations ont été apportées entre février et mai. Toutes les variétés ont répondu positivement à l'irrigation, les augmentations de rendement très significatives (p <0,01) ont varié entre 30% pour 'Moussa' avec T2 et 63 % pour 'Achefri' avec T3 par rapport au témoin non irrigué. Toutes les irrigations ont augmenté le nombre et la taille des fruits et ont provoqué une légère diminution de la teneur en sucres totaux et de l'acidité titrable. Les irrigations n'ont eu aucun effet significatif sur les autres paramètres physiques, chimiques et organoleptiques participant à la définition de la qualité. L'essai sur la fertilisation minérale azotée-phosphorique sur le cultivar ‘Moussa’, mettait en comparaison cinq traitements: 0N-0P; 0N-80P; 40N-40P; 60N-0P et 60N-80P (en kg N ha-1- kg P2O5 ha-1). En première année, l'application de N et/ou de P n'a eu aucun effet sur le rendement en fruits. En deuxième année, les apports de 60 unités de N ou de 80 unités de P2O5 ont augmenté (p <0,01) le rendement de resp. 3,0 et 6,1 kg par plante (+ 18% et + 36%), par rapport au témoin. L'apport simultané des deux éléments N et P (60N-80P2O5) a conduit à une augmentation très significative (p <0,01) de 14,9 kg/plante (+ 90%) mettant en évidence une interaction positive très significative (p <0,01) entre ces deux éléments. Les apports de N et de P ont eu des effets positifs sur le nombre de fruits et leurs poids moyens mais ils n'ont pas modifié le contenu de la pulpe, la teneur en jus, l'épaisseur de l’écorce, la matière sèche du jus, le pH, l’acidité titrable, les sucres totaux, ni le °Brix. L'étude portant sur la phénologie et le développement a été effectuée simultanément dans un essai spécifique reprenant les trois variétés et dans chacun des essais d'irrigation et de fertilisation. Elle a d'une part permis de préciser la variabilité du déroulement des phénologies comme résultant des conditions de milieu (climat), de la génétique, des techniques culturales (fumure et irrigation), et de certaines de leurs interactions. Notre attention s'est portée prioritairement sur les effets des techniques culturales maîtrisables. En première année, les essais ont montré que l'émission de bourgeons est plus élevée (p<0,05) chez la variété épineuse que chez les inermes (plus de 6 bourgeons émis/cladode contre moins de 4,5 chez les variétés inermes). En 2ème année, l'irrigation a augmenté (p <0,05) l'émission de bourgeons chez les trois variétés (plus de 7 bourgeons émis/cladode pour chacun des traitements T2 et T3 vs pas plus que 5 pour T1). L'irrigation a aussi allongé la durée de la phase de floraison de ces variétés. La fertilisation a montré des effets allant dans le même sens. Cependant, ni l'irrigation, ni la fertilisation minérale n'ont modifié significativement la durée de la réalisation du stade maturité du fruit, ne permettant pas ainsi d'allonger la saison de récolte

Effect of irrigation at critical stages on the phenology of flowering and fruiting of the cactus Opuntia spp.

peer reviewedThis paper briefly reports some effects of irrigations at two critical periods on the phenology of three varieties of cactus pear cultivated in Agadir area: the spineless varieties ‘Aissa’ and ‘Moussa’ and the thorny one ‘Achefri’. In the first year experiments (2010-2011) treatments of irrigation used were: (T1) 0 mm, (T2) 30 mm during flowering and 30 mm during fruit enlargement and (T3) 30 mm only during fruit enlargement. In the 2nd year experiments, irrigation treatments were: (T1) 0 mm, (T2) 60 mm during flowering and 60 mm during fruit enlargement and (T3) 60 mm only during fruit enlargement. Treatments of irrigation were applied between mid-April and mid-June in the 1st year experiments and in February and May in the 2nd year experiments. Results of the first year experiments showed that the emission of buds was higher in the thorny variety than in the spineless ones (more than 6 emitted buds/cladode vs less than 4.5 in the spineless varieties). In the second year, irrigation increased the emission of buds in the three varieties (more than 7 emitted buds/cladode for each T2 and T3 of all varieties vs not more than 5 for T1) and the duration of the flowering phase of these varieties. However, irrigation did not modify the proportions of fruits reaching commercial maturity during the early or the late period of maturation

Biology, Flowering and Fruiting of the Cactus Opuntia spp.: A Review and Some Observations on Three Varieties in Morocco

The cactus is a succulent plant resistant to droughts. According to the recently reviewed classification, cacti belong to the family of Opuntiaceae Desv. (synon. Cactaceae Juss.) with Opuntia Mill. as the typical genus. This genus is economically the most important in the family, as it includes a group of cactus pear plants which play an important role in the agricultural systems of arid and semi-arid regions. Flowering of the cactus pear fruit is an important determinant of the fruit harvesting period. The goal of this paper is to present the physiology of the cactus pear and to explain in detail the biology of its flowering and fruiting processes. This study is also enriched by our observations on the flowering and fruiting of three varieties of cactus pear that we followed for two successive years in southern Morocco